COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Code of Conduct for Councillors

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the revisions to the code of conduct for councillors are expected to be introduced.

Phil Woolas: We intend to consult on a draft revised code of conduct for local authority members later this year, with the view, subject to the outcome of this consultation, to implementing an amended code next year.

Council Tax

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what policies the Group Valuation Office has on photographing homes for council tax re-banding purposes; and how the Group Valuation Office selects homes that are to be photographed.

Phil Woolas: The Valuation Office Agency has a public fact sheet, "Council Tax—Inspections and Photography". This provides a summary of the Agency's policy on photographing homes for council tax purposes as set out in their Council Tax Manual. Both the Manual and the fact sheet are available on their website www.voa.gov.uk. A copy of the fact sheet and the relevant extract from the Manual will be placed in the Library. Photographs are taken, where Valuation Office Agency staff consider them to be of use in undertaking the statutory tasks of compiling and maintaining council tax valuation lists.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many  (a) EU foreign nationals and  (b) non-EU foreign nationals have been employed in his Department in each of the last 5 years; what vetting procedures are in place for each category of staff; and whether these include liaison with foreign law enforcement agencies.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department's procedures for security vetting comply with the policy set out to Parliament by the then Prime Minister on 15 December 1994, which came into force on 1 January 1995. All staff who require security clearance for their posts in the Department are subject to this policy, regardless of their nationality.

Local Authorities (Standards Committees)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what advice she has given to local authorities on  (a) steps they should take to recruit independent members of Standards Committees and  (b) support and training which should be made available to monitoring officers.

Phil Woolas: The Relevant Authorities (Standards Committee) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/2812) set out procedures for appointing independent members of standards committees. The Standards Board for England has also issued guidance, as it is empowered to do by The Standards Board for England (Functions) Order 2004 (SI 2004/2618), to local authority monitoring officers to assist them in undertaking their roles.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Election Expenditure

Peter Bone: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what recent meetings the Commission has held to discuss limits on expenditure by candidates in general elections.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that it has held no recent meetings to discuss candidates' expenses limits at general elections. It is, however, planning a series of meetings with party representatives over the summer on the regulation of candidates' election expenses. Reports of these meetings will form part of its contribution to Sir Hayden Phillips' review of the funding of political parties.

TRANSPORT

Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how data captured by Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras is stored; who has access to the data; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Three of Department for Transport's Agencies operate Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, DVLA, VOSA, and Highways Agency.
	Data from DVLA's ANPR cameras are used solely by DVLA for VED enforcement. In addition, DVLA complies in all respects with the BSI code of practice on the storage of digital evidence, which covers the secure handling of data through the use of access controls and tight audit trails.
	Data from VOSA's eight mobile ANPR cameras is used solely by VOSA for intelligence gathering to enable targeted enforcement. VOSA hold 11 databases such as test certificate and O licence that are used to identify non-compliant operators. Intelligence gathered is encrypted and saved to disk then down loaded to the back office function. Access is via a decryption key held by the Intelligence officer. In addition, VOSA complies in all respects with the BSI code of practice on the storage of digital evidence, which covers the secure handling of data through the use of access controls and tight audit trails.
	The ANPR data gathered by the ANPR cameras operated by the National Traffic Control Centre (NTCC) has two characters dropped from the number plate before being encrypted, creating a depersonalised record, which is transmitted back to the NTCC. Once this has been matched to a record from an adjacent camera or a defined period has lapsed the data is deleted. The only information being retained being the average journey time for that section at that time. No one has access to the full number plate data.
	There are 108 ANPR cameras around the Birmingham box (M5, M6 and M42). 63 feed to roadside readers which are downloaded by consultants working for the HA. The information is used for traffic flow monitoring, journey time reliability and performance monitoring of schemes such as the M42 Active Traffic Management Scheme. The HA is only given reports and depersonalised information.
	45 further cameras feed back to the West Midlands Police Control Office (who are the data owner) and the HA is provided with depersonalised data for traffic management purposes.

Bicycle Accidents

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving bicycles were reported on  (a) roads and  (b) pavements in (i) Kingston and Surbiton constituency, (ii) South West London and (iii) London in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of personal injury accidents reported to the police involving one or more bicycles, by whether the bicycles were on the road or the pavement at the time of the accident, in (i) the constituency of Kingston and Surbiton (ii) the strategic health authority of South-West London (iii) and London for 1997 to 2004 (the latest year for which figures are available) are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Personal injury accidents involving one or more bicycles: by location of the bicycle: 1997-2004 
			   Kingston and Surbiton Constituency( 1)  Strategic Health Authority of South West London( 4)  London 
			   Road( 2)  Pavement( 2)  All( 3)  Road( 2)  Pavement( 2)  All( 3)  Road( 2)  Pavement( 2)  All 
			 1997 71 4 75 744 20 764 4,427 56 4,482 
			 1998 71 3 74 871 36 707 4,232 125 4,357 
			 1999 70 5 75 681 36 717 4,147 99 4,246 
			 2000 48 2 50 523 21 544 3,503 67 3,570 
			 2001 43 4 47 474 24 498 3,289 83 3,372 
			 2002 33 3 36 468 21 489 3,028 77 3,105 
			 2003 35 4 39 445 19 464 3,046 79 3,125 
			 2004 43 2 45 480 23 503 2,945 76 3,021 
			 (1 )The accidents in these columns are those that occurred in the 2004 boundary for Kingston and Surbiton constituency.  (2) There is the possibility of double counting between these rows if an accident involved two or more bicycles and at least one was on the pavement and at least one was on the road.  (3) Includes accidents where it is not known whether the bicycle(s) involved were on the pavement or the road.  (4 )The Strategic Health Authority of South West London, comprises of the London Boroughs of Croydon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Richmond-upon-Thames, Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth.

Illegal Drivers

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers he estimates are driving in the UK without having taken a driving test.

Stephen Ladyman: It is not known how many full driving licence holders have never taken a driving test.
	The Road Traffic Act 1934 introduced tests of competence to drive. This Act, however, provided an exemption from the need to take a driving test for those drivers who had held a provisional licence prior to 1 April 1934. Also between 18 February 1947 and 17 February 1948 provisional licences obtained during the Second World War were converted to full licences without the requirement to sit a driving test.
	Records kept at this time did not distinguish between full licence holders who obtained full entitlement as a consequence of passing a test and those who relied on the exemptions contained in the appropriate Acts.

Red Traffic Signals

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely impact on road casualties of adopting a policy of allowing vehicles to make a left turn at red traffic signals.

Stephen Ladyman: The proposal for 'turn left on red' is not considered suitable for traffic management purposes in this country.
	Although there are similarities between the road traffic signalling systems in the UK and abroad, there are also differences. Many other countries use fixed time signals, where the green period is based on average flows. These periods will not necessarily be proportional to the actual flow. 'Turn right (left) on red' is often used to overcome resultant delays. The majority in the UK are either vehicle actuated or connected to an Urban Traffic Control system using 'live' information. Timings are proportional to the flow and 'turn left on red' would not afford the same advantage.
	There are also differences in junction type. Where 'turn right (left) on red' is used, for example in the United States, most junctions have good visibility between side and main road traffic. Many junctions in the UK have poor intervisibility because of existing buildings and the junction geometry. Any uncontrolled movements from the side road would involve increased risks and an increased accident potential at the junction.
	Also, in the UK many pedestrian phases display a green figure on the 'side road' while a red is shown to the 'main road'. Allowing vehicles to turn left on red would pose increased risks to all pedestrians, especially vulnerable road users such as blind and partially sighted pedestrians, who are often given audible and/or tactile signals as an indication that all conflicting vehicular movements have stopped.
	Studies in the mid-1970s, in six states of the USA where 'turn right on red' was introduced, showed that pedestrian and cyclist accidents increased, ranging from 48 per cent. to 123 per cent. Vulnerable groups showed the greatest increase.

Number Plates

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what legislation the Register of Number Plate Suppliers was introduced and is maintained; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The Register of Number Plate Suppliers was introduced in the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 (VGA) and is maintained by the same legislation. The Road Safety Bill currently going through Parliament will amend the VGA by extending the scheme to Scotland and Northern Ireland, giving the Secretary of State enforcement powers to prosecute errant suppliers and outlawing so called "show plates".

Number Plates

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the operation of the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001; what recent representations he has received about the operation of these regulations; and whether he plans to amend the Regulations.

Stephen Ladyman: The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 are operating well. I have not had any recent representations about the operation of these regulations and presently have no plans to amend them.

Road Accidents

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents in England and Wales were a direct result of  (a) speeding and  (b) driving under the influence of (i) drink and (ii) drugs in each year since 1997, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available.

Road Traffic Act

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will produce an annual report on the operation of section  (a) 14 and  (b) 15 of the Road Traffic Act 1988; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: There are no plans to produce such an annual report. TRL Ltd. already publishes an annual report on observed seat belt wearing rates on behalf of the Department and the Home Office publishes annual figures for prosecutions including seat belt wearing offences.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Alcohol/Drugs

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are being taken to encourage a no-drug policy in schools.

Jim Knight: "Drugs: Guidance for Schools" issued to all schools by the Department in March 2004 makes it clear that drugs have no place in schools. The guidance outlines a range of strategies, including drug testing of pupils, which schools can adopt to ensure a drug-free school. We also expect that all schools should have a drug policy available to all pupils and parents. We have made clear that where pupils are permanently excluded for supplying an illegal drug, the Secretary of State would not normally expect the governing body or the independent appeal panel to reinstate the pupil. We will also be conducting an evaluation study of drug testing in maintained schools.
	The standards in the DfES guidance are supported by the Government-funded certification programme for teachers of Personal Social and Health Education and by the National Healthy School Programme.

Biological Diversity

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which Minister in his Department is responsible for monitoring his Department's compliance with its duty under section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to have regard to the purpose of conserving biological diversity in carrying out its functions; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Under Section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Ministers and Government Departments have a duty to have regard to the purpose of conserving biological diversity. This has been replaced by a similar provision under Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, which comes into effect on 1 October 2006. The Department for Education and Skills has taken a number of steps to benefit biodiversity including:
	the ongoing consultation on a Sustainable Schools Strategy in which the natural environment plays a major part: www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations
	the requirement for all major new build and refurbishment projects in schools to achieve a minimum "BREEAM Schools" rating of very good;
	promoting the preservation and enhancement of the biodiversity of schools through a range of criteria in the Land Use and Ecology section of the methodology: www.breeam.org/schools
	launching a Sustainable Schools web portal for teachers on 9 June 2006: www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools

Class Sizes

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average secondary school class size was in  (a) Cornwall and  (b) England in 2005-06.

Jim Knight: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools( 1) : Average class size( 2,3) —January 2006 (provisional) 
			   Average class size 
			 England 21.5 
			 Cornwall local authority area 21.9 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed.  (2) Classes as taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the census in January.  (3) Classes taught by one teacher.   Source:  Schools' Census

Education and Inspections Bill

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received regarding the mergers provisions of the Education and Inspections Bill.

Jim Knight: We have received two representations regarding the amalgamation of schools and how the process by which two or more schools are closed and a single new school is opened using the predecessor schools' sites is affected under the school competition provisions of the Education and Inspections Bill.

GCSEs

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of GCSE students in  (a) the London borough of Havering and  (b) other London boroughs achieved five or more C grades or higher in 2004-05.

Jim Knight: 61.2 per cent. of pupils at the end of key stage 4 achieved five or more GCSEs or equivalents(1) at grades A* to C in 2005 in the London borough of Havering. The following table shows the proportion in other London boroughs.
	
		
			  Government office region( 2) —local authority  Number of end of Key Stage 4 pupils  Percentage of pupils achieving 5+ A*-C grades 
			 London 72,954 55.5 
			
			 Inner London 22,678 50.4 
			 Camden 1,443 51.8 
			 Hackney 1,289 47.3 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,146 59.0 
			 Haringey 2,106 47.7 
			 Islington 1,376 44.2 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 579 61.8 
			 Lambeth 1,375 53.0 
			 Lewisham 2,207 49.4 
			 Newham 3,234 51.0 
			 Southwark 2,239 47.2 
			 Tower Hamlets 2,445 50.9 
			 Wandsworth 1,857 54.1 
			 Westminster 1,382 46.8 
			
			 Outer London 50,276 57.8 
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,938 50.8 
			 Barnet 3,380 64.1 
			 Bexley 3,252 57.5 
			 Brent 2,638 57.3 
			 Bromley 3,502 64.0 
			 Croydon 3,725 54.5 
			 Ealing 2,586 59.5 
			 Enfield 3,534 51.7 
			 Greenwich 2,493 45.7 
			 Harrow 2,171 61.9 
			 Havering 3,021 61.2 
			 Hillingdon 2,934 51.0 
			 Hounslow 2,613 57.9 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1,467 67.6 
			 Merton 1,531 47.1 
			 Redbridge 2,968 70.0 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1,495 54.9 
			 Sutton 2,470 68.0 
			 Waltham Forest 2,558 49.1 
			 (1) Includes all equivalences approved for use pre 16.  (2) Local authority and Government office region level figures only cover maintained schools.

Teachers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on teacher retention in the London borough of Havering.

Jim Knight: There were 2,050 full-time equivalent teachers in maintained schools in Havering in January 2005, compared to 1,870 full-time equivalent teachers in 1997. In January 2005, there were 13 full-time vacancies in Havering, or 1.4 per cent. of full-time teachers in post in the maintained sector. In January 1997, there were nine full-time teacher posts vacant, or 0.5 per cent. of full-time teachers in post.
	Significant increases in London teachers' pay, including doubling the threshold payment in 2003 for good experienced teachers in London, have provided a clear incentive for teachers to stay in the capital. Since 2004, school teachers in London have been able to use interest free loans of up to £100,000 through the key worker living initiative to help them afford the cost of homes. 1,800 teachers were helped to buy homes between April 2004 and March 2006 under the scheme which continues until 2008.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Africa

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with African (a) leaders and  (b) parliamentarians regarding corruption in Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: Corruption is a serious problem in much of Africa. DFID is supporting a wide range of activities to help countries detect and take action against corruption. Some of the recent discussions I have had with African leaders and parliamentarians about corruption are outlined below.
	When I visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in October 2005, the main focus was to urge the Congolese Government to tackle corruption—particularly within the army pay system.
	I had frank discussions with President Kibaki of Kenya about corruption when I visited in January 2006. Since then some steps, including the removal of three senior Ministers, has taken place in response to public pressure following the release of the Githongo dossier and Goldenberg report. This is an encouraging start but Kenyans are calling for more to be done. When I met President Kibaki again recently, I stressed the importance of continued progress in the corruption investigations. I have also met several Kenyan Members of Parliament (MPs) to discuss progress on corruption and specifically the Public Accounts Committee report on the so-called Anglo-Leasing affair.
	I met President Kagame and Ministers in Rwanda in November 2005. Discussions focused on the Rwanda-UK Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which covers corruption among other issues.
	When visiting Tanzania in May 2006, President Kikwete and I focused discussions on corruption and growth. Following progress made by his predecessor Benjamin Mpaka, President Kikwete is determined to improve governance and tackle high-level corruption.
	I met President Museveni when I visited Uganda in May 2006. I discussed the President's commitment to tackle corruption made in his election manifesto and subsequent public statements.
	President Mwanawasa of Zambia and I met in February 2005 and emphasised the importance of continued commitment to combating corruption and continuing improvement of public financial management.

Africa

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations his Department has made to the World Bank regarding its Africa Plan; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The World Bank's Africa Action Plan, endorsed by Bank Governors at their annual meeting in Washington in September 2005, forms part of the Bank's response to the commitments made at Gleneagles last June. DFID officials discuss the Plan regularly with Bank staff. I raised implementation of its recommendations at the Bank's spring meetings in April this year, and look forward to discussing progress in the first year by the time of this year's annual meeting of Governors in September.

Africa

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the implications of the World Bank Africa Plan for efforts to address climate change; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The World Bank's Africa Action Plan does not specifically address climate change. However, the World Bank fully recognises the severity of the impact climate change will have in Africa and is committed to helping countries address these. It is also looking at improving the ways African countries can benefit from a global shift towards cleaner energy, through carbon finance projects, for example.
	Last year at Gleneagles the G8 asked the World Bank to lead the development of a new global investment framework to speed up the adoption of cleaner energy in developing countries to help address climate change. As part of this framework the World Bank is also developing approaches to help countries adapt to the impact of climate change. This work was discussed by governors at the World Bank's Spring Meetings in April. In my written statement to the Development Committee at the Spring Meetings I welcomed the valuable work the World Bank had done so far and stressed the need for this to be developed further by the Annual Meetings in September. I also said that helping member countries meet the challenges of climate change should be a key objective of the World Bank over the coming years. The statement is available on DFID's website at:
	www.dfid.gov.uk

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to improve the governance of the Democratic Republic of Congo's natural resource wealth.

Hilary Benn: Improving the management of natural resource and improving revenue generation in the DRC is one of the main features of DFID's Country Engagement Plan for DRC. DFID funded the non-governmental organisation Global Witness to conduct research on natural resources in the Great Lakes region, and we have now developed a plan for long term involvement in the sector.
	DFID and the World Bank have been leading support to the implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in DRC—which aims to improve revenue transparency between government and mining companies.
	DFID is also involved in the development of the World Bank's plans to support implementation of the DRC's forestry code—to ensure it provides for a sustainable timber business in DRC, and protects the livelihoods of forest dwelling communities and the environment.
	We are now developing a large programme of support to the minerals sector. This is likely to include continuing support to the implementation of the EITI, support for efforts to improve the regulation of companies involved in minerals extraction, and developing partnerships with the private sector to provide services to mining communities.

Departmental Office Expenditure

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was spent on the running of the Department's office in  (a) Accra,  (b) Luanda,  (c) Makurdi,  (d) Kinshasa,  (e) Banjul,  (f) Nairobi,  (g) Maseru,  (h) Lilongwe,  (i) Maputo,  (j) Kigali,  (k) Khartoum,  (l) Dar es Salaam,  (m) Kampala,  (n) Lusaka,  (o) Harare,  (p) Addis Ababa,  (q) Bujumbura,  (r) Abuga,  (s) Ekiti,  (t) Jigawa and  (u) Enugu in 2004-05.

Hilary Benn: The following table shows how much was spent (on administrative resources) running these offices during the financial year 2004-05:
	
		
			  Office  Cost (£ million) 
			  (a) Accra—Ghana 2.637 
			  (b) Luanda—Angola 0.397 
			  (c) Makurdi—Nigeria 0.140 
			  (d) Kinshasa—DRC 1.786 
			  (e) Banjul—Gambia 0.120 
			  (f) Nairobi—Kenya 2.878 
			  (g) Maseru—Lesotho 0.137 
			  (h) Lilongwe—Malawi 2.972 
			  (i) Maputo—Mozambique 2.387 
			  (j) Kigali—Rwanda 2.170 
			  (k) Khartoum—Sudan 1.518 
			  (l) Dar Es Salaam—Tanzania 1.994 
			  (m) Kampala—Uganda 3.085 
			  (n) Lusaka—Zambia 2.106 
			  (o) Harare—Zimbabwe 1.630 
			  (p) Addis Ababa—Ethiopia 2.760 
			  (q) Bujumbura—Burundi 0.290 
			  (r) Abuja—Nigeria 3.724 
			  (s) Ekiti—Nigeria 0.200 
			  (t) Jigawa—Nigeria 0.140 
			  (u) Enugu—Nigeria 0.200

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff in his Department have had  (a) 5 or more,  (b) 4,  (c) 3 and  (d) 2 periods of sick leave of less than 5 days in each of the last 3 years.

Gareth Thomas: This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	DFID is committed to managing sickness absence effectively. Our average working days sick absence per staff year fell from 7 days in 2003 to 4.8 days in 2004. Figures for 2005 are not yet available. We are currently in the process of reviewing our data retrieval requirements with the objective of increasing our ability to access information on a more flexible basis than at present.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and what percentage of staff in his Department are making additional voluntary contributions to their pension.

Gareth Thomas: Members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) can pay additional contributions to top up their pension either through the Civil Service Additional Voluntary Contributions Scheme (CSAVCS), a money purchase arrangement, or by buying added years of service in the PCSPS. As an alternative to membership of the PCSPS recruits from 1 October 2002 have been able to join a stakeholder arrangement, the partnership pension account.
	The number and percentage of staff in the Department for International Development who are making additional voluntary contributions to their pension as at 26 May 2006 are shown in the table.
	
		
			   Number  Percentage 
			 CSAVCS 50 2.73 
			 Added Years 120 6.56 
			 Partnership 27 1.48

Departmental Staff

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures of  (a) project and  (b) staff performance are in place in his Department.

Gareth Thomas: The information requested is as follows.
	 (a) DFID rates the performance of its projects and programmes on a five point scale. This assessment is required for all bilateral projects/programmes with a commitment value of £1 million or more and takes place annually while the project is running and at the completion of the project.
	DFID uses this performance information in our Public Service Agreement (PSA) 'value for money' target.
	 (b) Beginning in 2006 DFID has introduced staff performance arrangements which focus on individual delivery of outputs against agreed objectives. There are three categories of performance:
	Performing to a very high standard
	Performing well
	Most in need of development
	Assessments are completed annually at the end of March.

Ethiopia

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that UK aid to Ethiopia is not used for military spending; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of Ethiopian GDP that its defence spending represents.

Hilary Benn: For this Ethiopian fiscal year, 2005-06, defence expenditure is budgeted to amount to 2.9 per cent. of GDP. In recent years, the Ethiopian Government has maintained its defence budget in constant cash terms, so it has declined as a percentage of GDP.
	We no longer provide budget support to the Government of Ethiopia and all our funds are provided for specific purposes. We receive regular accounts of expenditures and monitor the delivery of services.

Ethiopia

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what account was taken of the disputed election in Ethiopia in allocating UK aid to that country.

Hilary Benn: My written statement of 24 January 2006 explained to the House that as a result of concerns over human rights and governance in Ethiopia following the disputed 2005 election, UK and all other donors who had been giving direct budget support to the Government of Ethiopia has decided to withhold this form of support. We wrote to the Minister of Finance in December to explain this decision.
	I made clear that the UK would work with other donors to continue to support the poorest people in Ethiopia. On 26 May, I announced approval of the Protection of Basic Services Grant, which has been developed by the World Bank and DFID. Through this grant, funds will be earmarked for use at the regional and local level to deliver essential services in education, health, agriculture and water. There will be a strong focus on transparency and accountability. The World Bank will provide over £120 million of funding, and DFID will provide £94 million over two years. The Netherlands will also be contributing and other donors are considering contributions.
	I will place a statement in the House setting out more information on these two schemes shortly.

Guinea

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  whether his Department is involved in planning for the Guinean 2007 legislative elections;
	(2)  whether his Department is providing assistance to Guinea  (a) to reform the country's electoral commission and  (b) for other political reforms;
	(3)  whether his Department is supporting the development of rural radio stations in Guinea.

Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development's support to Guinea in these areas is through the European Union's assistance programme to improve the climate for democracy and the rule of law. Following commitments made by the Guinean authorities in April 2005, the EU agreed to unspent funding being used for programmes supporting the poorest parts of society, for civil society and the promotion of good governance, democracy and human rights. It includes:
	plans to provide £6 million for the 2007 legislative elections in addition to £2 million in support of the 2005 local elections;
	assistance to the Electoral Commission provided as part of the local election support, but the Guinean authorities now need to demonstrate their willingness to reform the Commission;
	plans for a good governance project. Though support will depend on the willingness of the Guinean authorities to implement reforms;
	plans for support to civil society, including private radio stations. However EU conditions for funding have not yet been met by the Guinean authorities.
	We shall continue to monitor the progress made.

Guinea

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department has allocated to Guinea over the next three years.

Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development does not have a bilateral development programme in Guinea nor plans to establish one. We provide support through the European Union and multilateral agencies, which amounted to an estimated £7.8 million in 2003.
	We are concerned about the political and humanitarian situation, and provided £750,000 in preventative humanitarian assistance in 2005-06. A similar commitment is planned this financial year.

Illegal Immigrants

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many illegal immigrants have been discovered to be employed by his Department in each year since 2001; in what capacities they were employed; how many were discovered as part of a criminal investigation; and what the nature of the charges brought against them were.

Gareth Thomas: I can confirm that no illegal immigrants have been discovered to be employed by DFID since 2001. Nationality checks are carried out as part of the recruitment process before any individual is appointed to DFID. We have not included any agency workers, contractors or consultants as these individuals are not employed directly by DFID.

Nepal

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what direct funding his Department has allocated to the Government of Nepal in 2006-07; and what provision has been made within that amount for the establishment of a Defence Ministry.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 25 May 2006
	DFID currently plans to provide £6.8 million in direct assistance to the Government of Nepal in the financial year 2006-07. This will support Government programmes in health, basic education, rural roads and agriculture, all of which target poor people.
	The total planned bilateral DFID assistance for 2006-07 is currently £30 million, with the £23.2 million balance being channelled mainly through non-Government organisations, multilateral organisations, or directly through DFID—administered projects. In many of these projects, the Government of Nepal is an important partner, even though DFID funds do not go through the Government budget.
	No provision has been made from DFID's bilateral programme for support to the Nepali Defence Ministry.

Nepal

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the UK has provided support to ensure the ceasefire in Nepal is effectively monitored.

Gareth Thomas: The issue of ceasefire monitoring is currently under negotiation between the Government of Nepal and the Maoists, and no arrangements are yet in place. The UK Government recognise the need for effective ceasefire monitoring and the importance of sufficient resources being made available by the international community. The interdepartmental Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP) is a potential source of UK funding and this is currently being considered.

Nepal

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the UK has restructured its aid to Nepal in order to support the new democratic Government in Nepal.

Gareth Thomas: The recent political developments in Nepal offer an important new opportunity to make progress towards a lasting peace and a return to multi-party democracy. DFID is currently considering, with other donors and other UK Government Departments, how best to respond to the new situation, so that development assistance contributes effectively to peace, democracy, poverty reduction and social inclusion of marginalised groups. Early priorities are likely to include support for ceasefire monitoring; voter education and other help relating to a constituent assembly; and resources to improve access by the poor to essential services and infrastructure. In addition to DFID's bilateral programme, consideration is also being given to financial and technical support to the peace process from the interdepartmental Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP).
	The EU is currently discussing what peace building support it can provide to Nepal, and the UK expects the EU to consider positively any requests by the Nepalese Government for assistance.

Nepal

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on progress of the analytical framework for donor assistance in Nepal.

Gareth Thomas: Multilateral and bilateral donors are considering how best to help Nepal make progress towards a lasting peace and a return to multi-party democracy. Donors are committed to close co-ordination among themselves and with the Government. This should ensure that aid funds and advice are well targeted; are provided in ways that are easy to use; avoid duplication; and do not place unnecessary demands on the new Government.
	Donor assistance can help in three broad areas: direct support for the peace process (such as ceasefire monitoring); building confidence in the peace process by ensuring that poor and excluded groups see real improvements in their quality of life; and by building the capacity of state institutions to function effectively and thereby gain people's confidence and trust.

Palestinian Territories

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has received from aid agencies in the Palestinian Territories on  (a) the humanitarian situation and  (b) their ability to operate in the current security environment; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: DFID is in close contact with aid agencies in the Palestinian Territories, including the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), which co-ordinates monitoring and response to the humanitarian situation. The UN released an updated consolidated appeal for humanitarian assistance on 31 May 2006 and will also, from June, produce monthly humanitarian monitoring reports.
	UN OCHA reports that the main restrictions on humanitarian operations are Israeli restrictions on movement and access to, and within, the West Bank and Gaza, as well as security concerns in Gaza. DFID has agreed to provide expertise that will help UN OCHA monitor the humanitarian situation and co-ordinate humanitarian access with Israeli security forces.

Palestinian Territories

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has received from  (a) the World Bank and  (b) the IMF regarding mechanisms for the delivery of funding for health and education in the Palestinian Territories; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: DFID is in close contact with the World Bank, IMF, European Commission and international donors on mechanisms for delivering funding for Palestinian basic needs. At its meeting on 9 May the Quartet (United States, European Union (EU), United Nations and Russia) welcomed the offer by the EU to develop and propose a mechanism for delivering direct assistance to the Palestinian people. The Quartet also invited other donors and international organisations to consider participation in such a mechanism.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with Jan Egalund, the UN emergency relief co-ordinator, on the impact of the security situation in Darfur on the humanitarian situation there.

Hilary Benn: I spoke to Jan Egeland recently about the situation in Darfur, and he has also briefed my officials both in Sudan and at the UN in Geneva following his most recent visit. I very much share his concern about the deteriorating security situation there, which has worsened dramatically since January, with increasing levels of banditry, armed clashes and attacks on civilians and UN and NGO staff. The rising level of insecurity threatens to reverse progress made in 2005. Over the last four months alone, 250,000 people have been driven from their homes by the violence. The ability of the UN and NGOs to access the most vulnerable people is becoming a critical issue with no or very limited access to up to 650,000 people in Darfur.
	In recent weeks we have seen encouraging steps forward with the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), and the more recent announcement from the Government of Sudan agreeing a joint African Union/United Nations Technical Assessment Mission to travel to Darfur. Stabilising security in Darfur is crucial if the DPA is to succeed. A UN force would build on the achievements already made by the African Union's Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (AMIS).

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Department of Finance and Administration

Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission 
	(1)  how many staff are employed in the Department of Finance and Administration;
	(2)  how many staff were employed in  (a) the Department of Finance and Administration and  (b) its predecessor Departments in each of the past 10 years for which figures are available.

Nick Harvey: The Department of Finance and Administration had the following numbers of staff as at 31 March for each of the following financial years.
	
		
			   Number of staff 
			 2005-06 142 
			 2004-05 158 
			 2003-04 141 
			 2002-03 147 
			 2001-02 141 
			 2000-01 122 
			 1999-2000 131 
			 1998-99 122 
			 1997-98 121 
			 1996-97 115.5 
		
	
	The figures up to and including 1999-2000 are the Department's complement. Figures from 2000-01 are full-time equivalents.

Department of Finance and Administration

Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the cost was of running the Department of Finance and Administration, broken down into  (a) wages and associated costs,  (b) accommodation and  (c) other costs, in each of the last three years.

Nick Harvey: The total cash cost of running the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) over the last three financial years has been:
	
		
			  £000 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Total cost 14,636 14,502 17,953 
			  Includes:
			 Salaries and other staff costs 4,397 4,649 4,964 
			 Other running costs 2,646 1,752 1,948 
		
	
	The cost of accommodation is not currently held in a form attributable to an individual Department.
	As DFA is the central finance department, these figures include a significant level of corporate expenditure which is not directly attributable to the direct costs of running the Department. Some of the larger corporate items during 2005-06 included pension contributions (£10,277,000), contracts management (£608,000), child care vouchers (£217,000), and special payments (£198,000). Employer-related pension costs increased by around £2,881,000 in 2005-06 following an increase in the contribution rate.

Department of Finance and Administration

Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what recent audits have been undertaken into the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Finance and Administration; and by whom they were carried out.

Nick Harvey: The Internal Review Service (IRS) of the House of Commons carries out regular reviews of financial areas within the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) as part of its assurance to the Accounting Officer on the adequacy of internal controls. From October 2004 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have provided internal audit services in partnership with the IRS in-house team.
	In 2005 there were a number of reviews of processes that are only conducted at the time of a general election.
	A list of recent audits and reviews covering the responsibilities of the Department of Finance and Administration is set out as follows:
	
		
			   Carried out by 
			  2003-04 (10 audits)  
			 Administration of Members' allowances IRS 
			 Fraud return IRS 
			 Members' Computing Services IRS 
			 Risk assurance IRS 
			 Business Continuity Planning IRS 
			 Resource Accounting IRS 
			 Fixed Assets IRS 
			 HAIS Security Insight Consulting 
			 Predictive payroll testing IRS 
			 Review of IRS PwC 
			   
			  2004-05 (16 audits)  
			 Accounts Receivable IRS 
			 Delegated Authorities and authorised signatories IRS 
			 Invoices paid control checks IRS 
			 Consultancy Payments IRS 
			 VFM Contract management IRS 
			 Core financials review of 14 areas of financial control IRS 
			 Risk assurance IRS 
			 Fraud IRS 
			 Government Procurement Card IRS 
			 Management of attendance IRS 
			 Members allowances—debtors IRS 
			 Monitoring of Members allowances IRS 
			 Payable order handling and security IRS 
			 VFM Business cases PwC 
			 Shared services IRS 
			   
			  2005-06 (20 audits)  
			 Ongoing review of paid invoices IRS 
			 Child care IRS 
			 Diversity IRS/PwC 
			 Data Protection IRS 
			 Financial planning PWC 
			 Follow-up 2004-05 IRS 
			 Follow-up 2005-06 IRS 
			 General Ledger IRS/PwC 
			 Injury claims IRS 
			 HR Disciplinary procedures IRS/PwC 
			 Lump Sum payments IRS 
			 Pensions IRS/PwC 
			 Project management PwC 
			 Resettlement Grants IRS 
			 Risk Assurance IRS 
			 Suspense accounts IRS 
			 Tender evaluations IRS/PwC 
			 Winding-up allowance (to be issued) IRS 
			 Redundancy (to be issued) IRS

Department of Finance and Administration

Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what measures are in use to ascertain the levels of satisfaction among hon. Members with the services provided by the Department of Finance and Administration.

Nick Harvey: The Department of Finance and Administration provides a number of services to Members of Parliament and their staff. These include direct services such as payroll, administration of allowances, pensions and occupational health; and advisory services on matters such as personnel and data protection. A variety of mechanisms are used to ensure that the Department's services meet customer needs and that they are provided efficiently and effectively.
	The Department is taking an active part in the design of the second Member satisfaction survey which will take place in 2007, as it did for the last survey which took place in 2003. It also works closely with the Advisory Panel on Members' Allowances and recently submitted evidence to the Administration Committee on its review of Post-Election Services to Members. The Department has procedures for reviewing complaints received from Members and administrative errors; and the departmental website has a facility for Members to give feedback. Services are subject to regular audits by the House-wide Internal Review Service.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

World Trade

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with other EU Trade Ministers on the current World Trade Organisation negotiations.

Alistair Darling: The Government remain fully committed to securing an ambitious, pro-development outcome to the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). Both my predecessors and I have had regular contact with the EU Trade Commissioner, our counterparts in other EU member states, with the Director General of the WTO and with the Trade Ministers of other WTO member countries.

Sunday Trading

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Sunday trading proposals.

Alistair Darling: We are currently reviewing the whole question of Sunday shop opening hours.
	No decisions have been made and if Government do decide to alter the current arrangements there will be a full public consultation.

Small Businesses

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment he has made of the effect of employment legislation on the economic viability of small businesses.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department conducts a thorough analysis of the impact of all proposed employment legislation on small firms and this is published as part of a regulatory impact assessment.
	The Government with the aid of all stakeholders have identified a number of areas of employment law to review with the intention of providing greater simplification and clarity. The Government are committed to reducing compliance and complexity costs for business while continuing to deliver excellent regulatory outcomes.
	In addition the Government provide comprehensive advice for employers through the ACAS telephone helpline, which received a million calls a year and the ACAS and www.businesslink.gov.uk websites. This together with the stable management of the economy provides a great environment for small business.

Renewable Energy

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the costs and benefits of tidal lagoons and barrages as sources of renewable energy.

Malcolm Wicks: Between 1978 and 1994 a 20 million Government programme of research and development on tidal energy considered tidal barrage schemes at a number of potential sites and more recently a study of the Severn barrage was carried out by the Severn Tidal Power Group and published in 2003.
	The DTI has previously commissioned an independent assessment of a proposed tidal lagoon scheme in Swansea Bay, which it is our intention to publish.

Correspondence

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will reply to the letter of 15 December 2005 from the hon. Member for Aylesbury, on behalf of Mr. S P of Bledlow Ridge, about the aftermath of the Buncefield disaster, which was transferred to his Department by the Department of Transport on 6 January (Department of Transport reference SL/026807/05).

Malcolm Wicks: Unfortunately the hon. Member's letter has not been received from the Department of Transport. A copy has been requested and a response will be provided as soon as possible.

Export Control Act

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had on strengthening end user controls; and whether he expects such controls to be addressed in the 2007 Review of the Export Control Act 2002.

Malcolm Wicks: Verification of the end-user is a key part of the risk assessment in determining whether to issue an export licence. I have no present intention to change the procedures.

Green Technologies

Kitty Ussher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the potential for job creation in the green technologies sector; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government are committed working with the environmental goods and services sector to promote new green technologies and industries. We are working with the Environmental Innovations Advisory Group to enable grater innovation in the environmental industries sector. This includes projects on procurement, technology support, state aids, finance and regulation. We also work with the Regional Development Agencies and the Devolved Administrations to estimate the size of the sector, and published data in 2004 showing the sector already employed over 400,000 people.

Miners' Compensation

Jim Devine: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what average payment has been made to claimants in each coal board area with vibration white finger in categories one to three; and how much was paid in legal fees to lawyers in each region.

Malcolm Wicks: Average payments for each vibration white finger (VWF) group, total compensation and total solicitor fees per region are detailed in the following table:
	
		
			   Average payment by VWF group ()   
			  Region  1  2 ( 1) 4  Compensation total ( million)  Solicitors' fees total ( million) 
			 Wales 9,642 8,937 7,858 102.4 12.0 
			 Scotland 10,812 10,659 9,781 59.0 6.6 
			 East Midlands 9,592 8,973 8,432 201.1 11.2 
			 Yorkshire 9,935 9,545 8,309 319.6 33.1 
			 North East 11,797 11,427 10,985 142.8 26.4 
			 Midlands 8,622 8,361 7,043 76.8 3.0 
			 South/South East 9,676 8,640 7,309 16.0 2.5 
			 Other 8,073 8,473  5.0 0.2 
			 Overall 9,962 9,556 8,763 922.7 95.1 
			 (1) Group 3 claims are denied and no payments made to claimants in this Group. Group 4 claims are from those miners who were in a Group 3 occupation but have been tortiously exposed to vibration and therefore received settlement payments.

Miners' Compensation

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the Coal Health Claims scheme to be completed.

Malcolm Wicks: Our current predictions are to complete the Vibration White Finger scheme during 2008 and the respiratory disease scheme during 2009.

Miners' Compensation

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Thompson solicitors have received in fees from processing Coal Health Claims from people in  (a) North Durham,  (b) Durham and  (c) in total.

Malcolm Wicks: The figures for fees paid to Thompson for processing claims under the Vibration White Finger (VWF) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) schemes are set out in the following table:
	
		
			   
			   North Durham  County Durham( 1)  Total 
			 COPD 2,424,580 17,198,310 88,039,621 
			 VWF 218,117 2,829,608 11,573,906 
			 Total 2,642,697 20,027,918 99,613,527 
			 (1) County Durham is made up of North Durham, North West Durham, City of Durham, Easington, Sedgefield and Bishop Auckland constituencies.

Miners' Compensation

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many individuals have received payments from the Coal Health Claims scheme in  (a) County Durham,  (b) North Durham and  (c) in total.

Malcolm Wicks: The figures for payments made to claimants under the Vibration White Finger (VWF) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) schemes are set out in the following table:
	
		
			   North Durham  County Durham( 1)  Total 
			 COPD 3,664 21,534 318,210 
			 VWF 595 6,819 128,948 
			 Total 4,259 28,353 447,158 
			 (1) County Durham is made up of North Durham, North West Durham, City of Durham, Easington, Sedgefield and Bishop Auckland constituencies.

Nuclear Power Stations

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the full costs of securing  (a) any new nuclear facilities and  (b) associated nuclear materials in transit will be paid for entirely by private investors; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Nuclear site licensees and, where necessary, approved carriers are required by law to meet the costs of security for civil nuclear sites and associated nuclear materials in transit.

Nuclear Power Stations

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the full costs of research funded by the Government into Generation 4 reactor designs will be taken on by private investors if the energy review concludes that a new generation of nuclear reactors should be built in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: In the past the UK's contribution to the Generation IV international research collaboration has been funded by BNFL. Future funding of research relating to the civil nuclear industry is currently under consideration.

Patents

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account is taken by the Patent Office of the intellectual property rights of indigenous communities in relation to traditional knowledge when considering patent applications involving such knowledge.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In the patent examination process, the Patent Office has to consider whether applications relate to inventions which are, among other things, new and inventive. This requires the Office to search through published material, which will include intellectual property rights of indigenous communities in relation to traditional knowledge. Moreover, if a patent application is made by a person who is neither the true inventor, nor has lawfully acquired rights to the invention, any person, including members of an indigenous community, can apply to the Office to have the matter rectified.

Post Office

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government services are available from the Post Office; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Post Office Ltd. currently has contracts to provide the following Government services: benefit payments through Post Office Card Accounts and the Exceptions Service, motor vehicle licensing, 'Check and Send' service for photocard driving licenses, 'Check and Send' service for passport applications, provision of passport application forms, asylum seeker benefits, game licences, rod licences, European Health Insurance Cards and television licences (the contract for which expires on 31 July 2006).

Regional Growth

Kitty Ussher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made against the Government's target to reduce the disparity in growth rates between English regions.

Jim Fitzpatrick: All English regions grew in 2003 and 2004 and the poorer-performing regions narrowed the gap in growth rates with London, the South East and East.
	The Government will make a full report on progress towards its regional economic performance target later in the year.

Thorp Plant

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has become of the liquid recovered as part of the clean up at Thorp Processing Plant completed on 14 June 2005; to where has it been removed; by what means; what the cost of the operation was; and whether this cost was met from the NIREX budget.

Malcolm Wicks: The dissolver liquor that leaked from an accountancy tank in the THORP feed clarification cell was contained within a designed secondary containment system. The liquor was later pumped to downstream vessels where it remains pending subsequent processing. The work was carried out by British Nuclear Group on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The costs associated with the temporary closure due to the incident will be the subject of an insurance claim by the NDA.

Wireless Telegraphy Act

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Ofcom spent on preparation for the auction of the award of Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998 licences in 2005-06; how much it plans to spend on preparations for the award of such licences in 2006-07; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The matter raised is the responsibility of the Regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter have been placed in the Libraries of House.

Wireless Telegraphy Act

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Ofcom spent in consultancy fees in preparation for the award of the recent Wireless Telegraphy Act licences for the frequencies 1781.7-1785MHz paired with 1876.7-1800MHz; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The matter raised is the responsibility of the Regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the chief executive's letter have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

DEFENCE

Information Technology

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on information technology (IT) sourced from outside his Department in each of the last five years; who is responsible for such projects in his Department; and what IT  (a) expertise and  (b) qualifications they possess.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence's spend on information technology (IT) sourced from outside the Department in each of the last five years is given in the following table.
	
		
			   million 
			  Financial year  Operating costs?IT  (excluding calls and line rental, etc)  Capitalised asset additionsIT and comms equipment 
			 2000-01 403,500 35,371 
			 2001-02 325,347 87,490 
			 2002-03 474,815 95,886 
			 2003-04 561,266 183,309 
			 2004-05 547,672 134,466 
		
	
	Information on the departmental spend on IT and Telecommunications operating costs and assets is published each year in the departmental annual accounts.
	The Director General Information acts as the Department's Chief Information Officer and sets policy for how the Department exploits information, as well as being Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for several of MOD's largest IT programmes. The chief executive of the Defence Communications Services Agency is responsible for the organisation which procures the majority of the Department's IT. In addition to their own experience in delivering results in Government, the incumbents of these senior posts are supported by experts with the appropriate expertise and qualifications in specialist areas. All major programmes will have an SRO appointed who is responsible for delivery of that programme.

Marine Salvage

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has sold salvage rights to any maritime wreck during the last 10 years.

Adam Ingram: During the last 10 years the Disposal Services Agency (DSA) has sold salvage rights in respect of the following wrecks:
	
		
			  Name of vessel   Date of agreement  Date expired 
			 MV Jolly Girls Sank North Shields on 2 December 1940 June 1997 7 May 2002 
			 HMS Campania Sank in Firth of Forth on 5 November 1918 26 June 1998 1 March 2004 
			 HMS Sidon Sunk as a target WNW Portland Bill in 1957 15 March 2000 1 May 2005 
			 HMS Upstart Sunk as a target off the Isle of Wight 29 July 1959 16 September 2000 1 November 2005 
		
	
	Additionally, on 27 September 2002, a Licence Agreement was signed with Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc., in respect of the Sussex, which sank in a storm in the western Mediterranean in 1694. This agreement provides that excavation and any recoveries are made in accordance with a strict set of provisions to ensure archaeological best practice.

Marine Salvage

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has had discussions with marine salvage companies  (a) Deep 6 and  (b) SubSea Resources in respect of planned salvage operations on any British shipwreck for which it is responsible.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has held no discussions with either Deep 6 or SubSea Resources.

Mesothelioma (Compensation)

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the House of Lords judgment in the case of Barker  v. Corus UK Ltd. on future spending plans of his Department in respect of expenditure on compensation payments for those suffering from mesothelioma.

Tom Watson: Currently, the Ministry of Defence receives around 50 mesothelioma claims each year. In the vast majority of claims brought against the Department the sole defendant is the MOD. Therefore, the financial implications of the House of Lords judgment in the case of Barker  v. Corus UK Ltd. are likely to be minimal in respect of expenditure on compensation payments.

Porton Down

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 8 May 2006,  Official Report, column 41W, on Porton Down, how many of the experiments were  (a) wholly and  (b) partly commissioned by (i) UK companies, (ii) foreign companies and (iii) foreign Governments; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much income was generated for the Department from undertaking animal experiments at Porton Down on contract for other  (a) Governments and  (b) private sector organisations;
	(3)  if he will list the  (a) UK companies,  (b) foreign companies and  (c) foreign Governments with whom the results of animal experiments at Porton Down were shared; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The remit of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down is to undertake research on behalf of the UK Government.
	DSTL participates in International Collaborative Programmes with other allied nations on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. These are conducted under signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to ensure the free and open exchange of information between the participating nations. DSTL is not a commercial contract organisation but does accept commercial contracts where these support MOD's wider programmes.
	All research work undertaken as part of these collaborative programmes is closely aligned to supporting, complementing and enhancing the MOD research programme. This exchange of information will include research involving the use of animals. This assists the advancement of the International research programmes and prevents the duplication of research funding. The participation by DSTL in these International Collaborative initiatives means that some aspects of the research programme will receive funding through foreign Governments, or their contractors. The research involving the use of animals is only a small sub-set of the overall collaborative research programme and is not accounted for separately.
	In conducting any animal research, DSTL fully complies with all of the legislative requirements that are placed on research organisations licensed to undertake research involving animals, under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 as administered by the Home Office. This compliance includes a full ethical review of the proposed work where the benefits of saving lives have to justify the use of animals in research. This ethical review also ensures that there is no unnecessary duplication of animal-based research.
	DSTL submits the results of its scientific research to peer reviewed open literature publications wherever possible. It is estimated that, security concerns included, 95 per cent. of DSTL research is published in the public domain. These publication figures include research involving the use of animals. Therefore, the results of the research, the development of techniques and alternatives are available to all researchers to review, regardless of which country they work in or whether they are employed in the commercial or Government sector.

Second World War POWs

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what steps his Department has taken to assess the need for support of the survivors of the British Army who were recruited from the Indian subcontinent and who were taken prisoner of war on the Western Front in the second world war;
	(2)  what arrangements are in place for support and financial assistance for members of the British Army who were recruited from the Indian subcontinent and who were taken prisoner of war on the western front in the second world war;
	(3)  what discussions have taken place between the Government and the Indian Government on the situation faced by members of the British Army who were recruited from the Indian subcontinent and who were taken prisoner of war on the western front in the second world war;
	(4)  what recent representations his Department has received with regard to the need for support and financial assistance to surviving members of the British Army recruited from the Indian subcontinent and who were taken prisoner of war on the western front in the second world war;
	(5)  what recent representations he has received on the support and financial assistance provided to former members of the British Army recruited from the Indian subcontinent and who were taken as prisoners of war by Japan in the second world war;
	(6)  what arrangements his Department has put in place in liaison with the Indian Government to assess the needs of the surviving members of the British Army recruited from the Indian subcontinent who were taken as prisoners of war by Japan in the second world war;
	(7)  what support and financial assistance has been provided to former members of the British Army recruited from the Indian subcontinent and who were taken as prisoners of war by Japan in the second world war.

Tom Watson: The responsibility for meeting the needs of former members of the Indian Army who were taken as prisoners of war in the second world war generally passed to the Governments of the countries of which they became nationals when they gained independence in 1947.
	Personnel recruited into the British armed forces from the Indian subcontinent and held as prisoners of war by the Japanese may be eligible for a payment under the United Kingdom's November 2000 ex gratia scheme for far east prisoners of war in the following cases:
	former members of the Indian Army who were British subjects at the time when they became prisoners of war and who have since the war resided in the UK for at least 20 years;
	members of UK-based units, including those that were locally recruited such as the Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Artillery (many of the latter were recruited in what is now Pakistan); and
	members of certain other former colonial forces who had qualified for a payment under a 1950s compensation scheme based on liquidated Japanese assets.
	Nepali Gurkhas who were held as prisoners of war by the Japanese have also received payments from the ex gratia scheme.
	I am aware of no recent discussions between the UK and Indian Governments on the problems faced by former Indian Army prisoners of war but each year the Department receives a number of communications from former members of the Indian Army who face financial hardship and inquire whether they are entitled to any financial support from the UK. We have no record as to whether these may have been held as prisoners of war during world war two.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Departmental Legislation

David Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General if he will list those  (a) Acts and  (b) parts of Acts which received Royal Assent between 1976 and 2006 for which his Department has policy responsibility and which remain in force.

Mike O'Brien: The Law Officers have responsibility for the following Acts or parts of Acts:
	The Law Officers Act 1997
	The Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate Act 2000
	Those parts of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 which establish the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office.
	The Law Officers also share responsibility with other Criminal Justice Ministers for a range of criminal justice legislation and take the lead on issues arising from the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 and the Criminal Justice Act 1987.

Prosecutors/Crime Victims (Dialogue)

Ian Austin: To ask the Solicitor-General what mechanisms are in place to encourage and facilitate dialogue between prosecutors and victims of crime.

Mike O'Brien: There are two key mechanisms in place to encourage and facilitate dialogue between prosecutors and victims of crime. The prosecutors pledge sets out the level of service that victims of crime can expect to receive from prosecutors. This includes; promoting and encouraging two-way communication between victims and prosecutors at court, and keeping victims informed of the progress of any appeal and explaining the effects of the court's judgment.
	In addition, the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime sets out the minimum level of service that victims of crime can expect to receive. The code, which was launched in April this year, places obligations on prosecutors to inform victims about charging decisions and communicating with victims at court.

WALES

Biological Diversity

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which Minister in his Department is responsible for monitoring his Department's compliance with its duty under section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to have regard to the purpose of conserving biological diversity in carrying out its functions; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: Under section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Ministers and Government Departments have a duty to have regard to the purpose of conserving biological diversity. This has been replaced by a similar provision in section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 which comes into effect on the 1 October 2006.
	In June 2003, the Wales Office became a separate entity within the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) and we have adopted the DCA corporate policy for sustainable development. The department remains committed to ensuring that biodiversity is considered as part of any new build or major refurbishment. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Nick Ainger) has lead responsibility for sustainability issues in the Wales Office.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress with reform of the Arts Council.

Tessa Jowell: Arts Council England underwent a peer review in 2005. The final report of the review team was published in December, alongside an action plan to take forward their recommendations. The Arts Council is making progress in acting on the review recommendations, as exemplified by plans for a restructure at the organisation's national office, which were announced on 30 March this year.

Big Lottery Fund

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Big Lottery Fund regarding the future classification of lottery good causes after 2009.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have discussions from time to time with the chair and chief executive of the Big Lottery Fund. We cover a range of issues but have not focused on the future classification of lottery good causes after 2009.

Big Lottery Fund

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on plans to establish the Big Lottery Fund.

Richard Caborn: Plans to establish the Big Lottery Fund were agreed within Government. However, neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have had any specific discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter.

Big Lottery Fund

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what impact she expects the creation of the Big Lottery Fund to have on the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Richard Caborn: None. The Big Lottery Fund will distribute Lottery money to projects connected with charitable expenditure, health, education and the environment and the National Heritage Memorial Fund will continue to enable emergency acquisitions of heritage treasures.

Commonwealth Institute Building

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with English Heritage on the future of the Commonwealth Institute Building.

David Lammy: I met the Chairman and Chief Executive of English Heritage on 6 June 2006 to discuss the Commonwealth Institute Building.

Commonwealth Institute Building

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the possible implications for other listed buildings of delisting the Commonwealth Institute Building.

David Lammy: The Commonwealth Institute's role as an international and inter-governmental organisation is unique. Its future is not just a domestic issue, but an international issue of concern to 52 other countries and for these reasons no parallels may be drawn for other listed buildings.

Departmental Pensions

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will estimate the pension liability of her Department over the next 30 years.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the technical Note by HM Treasury which was placed in the Library of the House following an oral statement in Parliament by the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 2 March 2006,  Official Report, columns 388-390. Pension liabilities are not estimated for individual Departments, they are estimated for individual pension schemes. Table 1 of the Note gives a breakdown of liabilities per pension scheme.

Departmental Performance

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library her Department's balanced scorecard for each quarter in the past year; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: The quarterly balanced scorecard is an internal performance monitoring tool. It provides periodic management information to the DCMS Board on the status of our key programmes and initiatives. It is designed to facilitate the free and frank exchange of views within the board and is not made available more widely. The DCMS Autumn Performance Report and Annual Report provide extensive information on our performance. These documents are published and are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

Illegal Immigrants

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many illegal immigrants have been discovered to be employed by her Department in each year since 2001; in what capacities they were employed; how many were discovered as part of a criminal investigation; and what the nature was of the charges brought against them.

David Lammy: No illegal immigrants have been discovered to be employed directly by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport since 2001. This includes staff on fixed-term appointments and casual contracts, but excludes agency workers, contractors and consultants.

Lottery

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which 10 parliamentary constituencies received least in awards from Lottery sources in 2005; and which 10 constituencies have received least in 2006.

Richard Caborn: The following lists show which constituencies have received the least monetary value in Lottery awards in 2005 and 2006 so far reported to the Department:
	 2005
	Birmingham, Yardley
	East Surrey
	Stoke-on-Trent South
	Elmet
	Chingford and Woodford Green
	Portsmouth North
	Birmingham, Hodge Hill
	Nottingham North
	Bolton West
	New Forest East
	 2006
	Kingston and Surbiton
	Enfield, Southgate
	Feltham and Heston
	Wallasey
	Bexleyheath and Crayford
	Castle Point
	Ilford North
	Plymouth, Devonport
	Upminster
	Bedford
	The lists are derived from the Department's Lottery award database, searchable at: www.lottery.culture.gov.uk which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributors.

School Sports

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the value was of the contract awarded for the UK School Games to be staged in Glasgow in 2006; whether the contract was awarded in accordance with normal open tendering procurement practice; whether the British Olympic Foundation was involved in the tendering processes; and whether the award was funded from the National Lottery.

Richard Caborn: The selection of an operator to organise the UK School Games this September and the subsequent grant of National Lottery money was a matter for the Millennium Commission. In my capacity as Chair of the Commission, I will write to the hon. Member on this matter and arrange for copies of my reply to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

The Public (West Bromwich)

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1412W, to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Lynda Waltho), on The Public (West Bromwich), on what basis the decision was made that the payments by Arts Council England to Robin and Gorringe are commercial in confidence.

David Lammy: The decision that payments made by the Arts Council to the firm Robin and Gorringe should be treated as commercially sensitive was based on our consideration of the ongoing and complex discussions that are under way between the administrators and contractors at The Public. These are aimed at achieving completion of the building project. It was our judgement that publishing this information could be detrimental to the conduct of these discussions and consequently disrupt the process of completing the building project and removing The Public from administration. The information was therefore judged too commercially sensitive to be published at this time.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding her Department has  (a) allocated and  (b) spent from Lottery receipts in supporting charitable organisations in preparation for the implementation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

Richard Caborn: Lottery distributors make awards independently of Government. Information on all Lottery awards is available from the Department's Lottery awards database, at www.lottery.culture.gov.uk, which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributors.
	The database, however, does not identify as a distinct category those awards that have prepared organisations for the implementation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Pay Equality

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps she is taking to address the gap between men's and women's pay.

Meg Munn: The Government have set up a team of officials who are working across Government to take forward the Women and Work Commission recommendations on ways to tackle the gender pay gap and an action plan will be issued later this year. I will also chair a project board of senior officials.

Election Candidates

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what her assessment is of the progress being made towards more women being selected to contest seats in general elections.

Meg Munn: We introduced in 2002 the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act which allows positive measures designed to ensure greater equality in the selection of prospective parliamentary candidates.
	The Labour party was able to increase the percentage of women MPs in the last general election by using all-women shortlists to select candidates in its retirement seats.
	By contrast the Liberal Democrat party and the Conservative party respectively only selected 32 per cent. and 12 per cent. of women candidates for their 50 most winnable seats.

Financial Planning

Anne Begg: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps the Government are taking to encourage women to plan their financial lives and save for their retirement.

Meg Munn: Proposed reforms set out in the Government's recent White Paper: Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system will enable women to make more informed choices about planning and saving for retirement, by providing simpler, fairer and more widely available state pensions as the foundation on which to save.

Pensions

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what discussions she has had with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions on recognition for women's caring role in pension arrangements.

Meg Munn: I have had regular meetings with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions throughout the development of the pension reforms. I am pleased that the reforms in the White Paper: Security in Retirement: Towards a new Pension System will deliver fairer pension outcomes for women and carers.

Sexual Orientation (Discrimination)

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what representations she has received on the consultation by the Department of Trade and Industry on the proposal to outlaw sexual orientation discrimination in the provision of goods and services.

Meg Munn: We have received a very high number of responses to the consultation that closed on 5 June about the proposed sexual orientation discrimination regulations and are now beginning the process of analysing these responses. I and my officials have also had a number of meetings with organisations and individuals who are interested in the proposed regulations during the consultation period.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Breast Cancer

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many women failed to attend their first breast screening tests in each of the last three years; what the take-up was of the second offered screening in each year; and what age group was most likely to miss their first appointment in each board area in each year.

Paul Goggins: The following tables show how many women in Northern Ireland during 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05, who (A) failed to attend their first breast screening appointment; (B) attended their second breast screening appointment having not attended their first appointment (C) attended both their first and second breast screening appointments.
	The vast majority of women who receive a first invitation to breast screening are in the 50-53 age group. In 2004-05, 91 per cent. of the eligible population in Northern Ireland had been invited to a first screening appointment by their 53rd birthday.
	
		
			  (A) First invitation to first breast screening appointment (routine) by Health Board of Residence 
			   Health Board  Number invited  Number not screened  Percentage not screened 
			 2002-03 Northern 2,376 520 21.9 
			 2002-03 Eastern 3,914 1,348 34.4 
			 2002-03 Southern 1,782 497 27.9 
			 2002-03 Western 1,608 470 29.2 
			 2003-04 Northern 2,955 548 18.5 
			 2003-04 Eastern 3,983 1,320 33.1 
			 2003-04 Southern 2,632 672 25.5 
			 2003-04 Western 2,089 468 22.4 
			 2004-05 Northern 1,899 410 21.6 
			 2004-05 Eastern 4,543 1,381 30.4 
			 2004-05 Southern 1,314 325 24.7 
			 2004-05 Western 1,567 375 23.9 
			  Source:  Quality Assurance Reference Centre. 
		
	
	
		
			  (B) Routine invitation to women who had previously not attended a previous breast screening appointment by Health Board of Residence 
			   Health Board  Number invited  Number screened  Percentage screened 
			 2002-03 Northern 993 257 25.9 
			 2002-03 Eastern 3,179 575 18.1 
			 2002-03 Southern 1,059 212 20.0 
			 2002-03 Western 779 117 15.0 
			 2003-04 Northern 1,067 268 25.1 
			 2003-04 Eastern 3,132 565 18.0 
			 2003-04 Southern 1,316 289 22.0 
			 2003-04 Western 807 152 18.8 
			 2004-05 Northern 800 206 25.8 
			 2004-05 Eastern 3,029 621 20.5 
			 2004-05 Southern 658 157 23.9 
			 2004-05 Western 764 153 20.0 
			  Source: Quality Assurance Reference Centre. 
		
	
	
		
			  (C) Routine invitation to women who had previously attended a breast screening appointment by Health Board of Residence 
			   Health Board  Number invited  Number screened  Percentage screened 
			 2002-03 Northern 6,042 5,608 92.8 
			 2002-03 Eastern 9,262 8,004 86.4 
			 2002-03 Southern 4,560 4,064 89.1 
			 2002-03 Western 3,896 3,471 89.1 
			 2003-04 Northern 7,944 7,379 92.9 
			 2003-04 Eastern 9,924 8,723 87.9 
			 2003-04 Southern 6,463 5,860 90.7 
			 2003-04 Western 5,586 5,101 91.3 
			 2004-05 Northern 4,568 4,167 91.2 
			 2004-05 Eastern 10,746 9,535 88.7 
			 2004-05 Southern 3,755 3,412 90.9 
			 2004-05 Western 3,909 3,559 91.0 
			  Source:  Quality Assurance Reference Centre.

Central Government Funding

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total value was of central Government funding in Northern Ireland in each of the past 30 years at today's prices.

David Hanson: The difference between Government expenditure and revenue attributed to Northern Ireland has been estimated on an occasional basis since the late 1990s. These estimates indicate that public expenditure exceeds taxes collected in Northern Ireland. The estimates of this funding shortfall, often referred to as the 'Fiscal Deficit', are set out in the following table.
	It is important to note that these estimates do not carry the imprimatur of official statistics as there are major difficulties in allocating revenue and expenditure across UK regions. The estimates for the earlier years in the table were based on the best data then available, which have been frequently revised since.
	
		
			  Estimated general Government expenditure and revenue in Northern Ireland 
			   billion 
			   Identified  Expenditure attributed( 1)  Total  Revenue  Fiscal deficit 
			  Current prices  
			 1995-96(2) 8.59 1.96 10.56 6.02 4.53 
			 1996-97 9.12 1.94 11.06 6.27 4.79 
			 1997-98 9.13 1.97 11.10 6.66 4.44 
			 1998-99 9.64 1.97 11.61 7.10 4.51 
			 1999-2000 10.03 2.00 12.03 7.38 4.65 
			 2000-01 10.80 2.15 12.96 7.86 5.09 
			 2001-02 11.81 2.07 13.88 7.94 5.94 
			 2002-03 12.70 2.37 15.07 8.09 6.97 
			 2003-04 13.53 2.48 16.01 9.11 6.90 
		
	
	
		
			   billion 
			   Identified  Expenditure attributed  Total  Revenue  Fiscal deficit 
			  2003-04 prices( 3)  
			 1995-96 10.53 2.41 12.94 7.38 5.55 
			 1996-97 10.80 2.29 13.09 7.42 5.67 
			 1997-98 10.50 2.26 12.76 7.66 5.11 
			 1998-99 10.80 2.20 13.01 7.96 5.06 
			 1999-2000 11.03 2.20 13.22 8.11 5.11 
			 2000-01 11.72 2.34 14.06 8.53 5.52 
			 2001-02 12.51 2.19 14.70 8.41 6.29 
			 2002-03 13.03 2.43 15.46 8.30 7.16 
			 2003-04 13.53 2.48 16.01 9.11 6.90 
			 (1) Attributed expenditure includes expenditure benefiting all parts of the UK as well as various accounting adjustments  (2) Data prior to 2000-01 were not produced on a consistent basis  (3) Using MM Treasury GDP deflator series

Departmental Hearing (Strangford View)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost to public funds has been of the Department of Environment's hearing in relation to the wall at Strangford View, Killyleagh; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: To date invoiced costs received by the Planning Service total 5,170 while the Planning Appeals Commission has incurred costs of 2,209.
	New enforcement notices were served on 19 May 2006. They require that, within 16 weeks of that date, the wall and associated fill material should be removed and the lands in question be regraded to form a reinforced slope to the satisfaction of Roads Service engineers (to retain the approved road).
	Discussions are ongoing between the Planning Service and the developer's representatives about the development of the remainder of the site.

Disability Access

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any buildings in  (a) each of the Northern Ireland Departments and  (b) the Northern Ireland Office, fall short of disability access regulations.

David Hanson: All Northern Ireland Departments (including the Northern Ireland Office) have programmes of work identified to achieve compliance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act for all buildings which need to be adapted. Currently some 74 Government buildings remain to achieve full compliance with the Act.

Down District Council

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost to public funds has been of Down district council's corporate box at Down Royal Race Course in the last 12 months; how much of the cost related to  (a) alcohol and  (b) food; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: The cost of providing a corporate box at Down Royal Race Course is included in the overall expenditure incurred by Down district council on tourism. The level of expenditure requested is not held centrally.

Lung Cancer

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to improve the survival rates of those diagnosed with lung cancer in the Province.

Paul Goggins: The Government and the DHSSPS are committed to improving the survival rates for all cancers including lung cancer. This commitment is underpinned in the Department's public service agreement which aims to increase the five-year survival rate for lung cancer by 5 per cent. by 2010, compared to the 1993-95 baseline.
	The Department in partnership with the Northern Ireland cancer network (NICaN) is taking forward work on a number of fronts which have the potential to improve survival rates for lung cancer patients. These include:
	the provision of better information for lung cancer patients;
	the development of GP referrals guidelines and improved primary care pathways for those suspected of having lung cancer, and;
	further improvements in oncology protocols for the treatment of lung cancers.

Police

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 18 April 2006,  Official Report, column 500W, on police, what Mr. Colin Ashe's key duties and responsibilities are as chief executive of the Northern Ireland Police Fund; what his grade is; what the grade is of other chief executives, or equivalent, of other Government Departments and agencies in Northern Ireland; and what direct experience Mr. Ashe has relevant to the Northern Ireland Police Fund.

Paul Goggins: Mr. Ashe's key duties and responsibilities are a matter for the Northern Ireland Police Fund. Information on the grade of all chief executives and their equivalents is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In relation to Mr. Ashe's experience, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Woodward) of 18( )April 2006,  Official Report, column 500W.

Restorative Justice Schemes

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the introduction of community-based restorative justice schemes in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: I refer the hon. Member to my statement on community-based restorative justice made on 25 May 2006,  Official Report, column 98WS.

Superannuation Entitlements

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many part-time members of staff at each health trust in the Province have submitted industrial tribunal applications regarding non-payment of superannuation entitlements;
	(2)  how many industrial tribunal applications by part-time staff from each health trust in the Province regarding superannuation entitlements  (a) have been successful,  (b) have been rejected and  (c) are still to be resolved.

Shaun Woodward: This information is not held centrally. I will write to the hon. Member with the information as soon as it becomes available and place a copy in the Library.
	281 industrial tribunal applications have been lodged by part-time staff seeking retrospective access to the HPSS Superannuation Scheme.
	Details of numbers of applications by Trust are not held centrally. I will write to the hon. Member with the information as soon as it becomes available and place a copy in the Library.
	 Substantive answer from Paul Goggins to David Simpson:
	The majority of the applications to the Office of the Industrial Tribunals by HPSS employees seeking retrospective access to the HPSS Superannuation Scheme refer to the period 1976 to 1991, prior to HSS Trusts coming in to operation. In many cases individual applicants have made claims in respect of a number of periods of employment. It is not possible to provide a breakdown by Trust, however, details are provided in the following table by health and social services board area.
	
		
			  HSS board area  Number of cases  Successful  Unsuccessful dismissed/withdrawn  Pending 
			 EHSSB 180 11 18 151 
			 NHSSB 44 3 5 36 
			 SHSSB 39 0 8 31 
			 WHSSB 18 0 2 16 
			 Total 281 14 33 234

Theatres

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public funding has been allocated to  (a) the Riverside Theatre, Coleraine and  (b) theatres in (i) Belfast and (ii) Londonderry in each of the last three years.

Maria Eagle: Public funding allocated to  (a) the Riverside Theatre, Coleraine and  (b) theatres in (i) Belfast and (ii) Londonderry in each of the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			   
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			  Coleraine
			 Riverside Theatre 45,900 45,000 60,596 
			 
			  Belfast Theatres
			 Lyric Theatre 2,644,511 625,193 611,545 
			 Grand Opera House 458,400 2,553,955 485,000 
			 Old Museums Arts Centre 205,000 248,893 283,960 
			 
			  Londonderry Theatres
			 Playhouse Theatre 240,024 1,338,276 399,675 
			 Millennium Forum 257,877 224,943  
			 Waterside Theatre 123,792 176,369 54,767 
			  Notes: These figures include both capital and revenue funding. They represent the grants allocated to projects although in some cases the expenditure may not be incurred until future years.

Traffic

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what daily average number of vehicles used the  (a) Lodge Road Roundabout, Coleraine and  (b) Caw Roundabout, Londonderry during 2005.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 8 June 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding how many vehicles on average used the  (a) Lodge Road Roundabout Coleraine and  (b) Caw Roundabout Londonderry during 2005.
	As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
	By way of background, I should explain that Roads Service collects traffic volume data by means of 270 automatic census points strategically located throughout the Northern Ireland road network. The information is recorded for one week in each quarter during the year and an annual average calculated. The results are published in Roads Service's annual Traffic and Travel Information Report, which presents the traffic volumes in a variety of formats for each site. Figures for the 2005 Report are still being processed, and therefore, the figures quoted below are based on the latest available data.
	With regard to the Caw Roundabout, census points are placed on all four approach roads. The table details the average daily number of vehicles entering the roundabout from each road.
	
		
			  Caw roundabout  Average daily flow 
			 Foyle Bridge(1) 15,930 
			 Clooney Road(2) 15,600 
			 Caw Brae(2) 7,510 
			 Crescent Link(2) 12,970 
			 Total 52,010 
			 (1 )This figure relates to the 2003 census as 2004 figures are unreliable, probably due to works on the Foyle Bridge during that period. (2 )These figures relate to the 2004 Census. 
		
	
	In relation to the Lodge Road Roundabout, unfortunately census points exist on only three of the five approach roads. While I have detailed the average daily number of vehicles entering the roundabout from these roads in the table below, I am unable to provide you with the full information requested.
	
		
			  Lodge road roundabout  Average daily flow 
			 Ballymoney Road(2) 8,250 
			 Sandleford Bridge(2) 13,840 
			 Ballycastle Road(2) 10,480 
			 Lodge Road No information available 
			 Rugby Avenue No information available 
			 Total 32,570 
			 (2)These figures relate to the 2004 Census.

Valuation and Lands Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Geographical Information System data is used by the Valuation and Lands Agency's domestic rates Automated Valuation Model.

David Hanson: Valuation and Lands Agency's CAMA (Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal) system uses the following Geographic Information System data:
	Ordnance Survey for Northern Ireland's (OSNI) digital database of vector and raster maps;
	OSNI's X Y coordinates (geocodes) linked to VLA's database of property attributes;
	Northern Ireland Statistical Research Agency's Census output areas; and
	VLA's neighbourhood and estate code polygons.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Biomass Industry

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which recommendations made in the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's report of May 2004 on biomass the Government has implemented.

David Miliband: The Government's response to the report was published in October 2004 and set out the measures that were in place at that time, or were being developed to address the issues raised in the recommendations. Copies of the Government's response have been placed in the House Library. Significant developments have since taken place on a number of issues relevant to the report:
	In March 2006, the Government published the new Climate Change Programme which sets out the UK's programme to tackle climate change domestically and to secure agreement on action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
	A new support scheme for biomass heat in the industrial, commercial and community sectors will be introduced. The scheme will be worth at least 10-15 million in England over the next two years and will run for a total of 5 years.
	Subject to State aid approval, a second application round of the Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme will be launched during 2006-07.
	DTI's Low Carbon Buildings Programme started in April 2006 and supersedes the previous Clear Skies Initiative and Solar PV programmes. The scheme provides grants for householders, community organisations, schools, the public sector and businesses to install microgeneration technologies.
	Following the report from the Biomass Task Force, setting out their recommendations to overcome the barriers to developing biomass heat and electricity, the Government published its response in April 2006. This accepts that energy from crops, trees and waste can make a strong contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sets out 12 key ways to make this happen. A number of the initiatives have already begun.
	The 2006 revisions to the Building Regulations, together with the changes in 2002, will improve energy efficiency standards by 40 per cent. A draft Code for Sustainable Homes has been issued which sets out voluntary standards going beyond the minimum set out in the Building Regulations. The Minister for Housing has set out the Government's aim to support a long term ambitious framework for moving first to low carbon and then towards carbon neutral development.

Carbon Management Programmes

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the list of change management and other consultants undertaking carbon management programmes will be opened up to other consultants.

Ian Pearson: The Carbon Management Programme has been developed by the Carbon Trust. As the Trust is a private company, the management of contracts is a matter for its Board. Officials from the Carbon Trust will contact the hon. Member direct about this.

Children's Services

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many nursery and creche places are provided for people working in his Department; what charges are made for the provision of such services; and what other facilities are provided for the children of employees of her Department

Barry Gardiner: DEFRA is committed to childcare support both for the benefit of its staff but also as an essential element of addressing the Departmental business need DEFRA's childcare provision set out in the following table.
	DEFRA employees are able to use a salary sacrifice scheme to reduce their childcare costs by up to 243 per month.
	
		
			  Defra childcare provision and costings 2005-06 
			Full-time placement costs 
			  Childcare type/Location  Places  To users  Subsidy rates  Cost to Defra 2005-06 (forecast) 
			  Defra Workplace Nurseries 
			 York 44 326 1(st) child 204 1(st) child 83,568 
			   372 siblings monthly 158 siblings monthly  
			  
			 Guildford 40 241-398 monthly dependent on grade 154-312 monthly dependent on grade 55,463 
			  
			  Subsidised places in external nurseries 
			 London 11 Costs vary dependent on nursery location 60 per week 42,182 
			 Bristol 3 Costs vary dependent on nursery location 60 per week 7,773 
			  
			  Discounted fees in external nurseries 
			 Newcastle London Dependant on demand 7 per cent. discount in chain of nurseries 0 0 
			 London Dependant on demand 10 per cent. discount in chain of over 44 nurseries 0 0 
			  
			  Holiday Playschemes 
			 London Dependant on demand 16.33 daily 8.67 1,483 
			 Guildford Dependant on demand 12.60 daily 3.15-16.90 dependent on number of children (1)1,676 
			  
			 York Dependant on demand 12.47 1(st) child 5.61 1(st) child (1)1,179 
			   11.22 sibling 6.23 sibling  
			 (1 )February Playscheme 2006 costs estimated

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what promotion boards have been held in his Department in each of the last five years.

Barry Gardiner: Most posts in DEFRA are filled on the basis of individual advertisements, in-house, across the civil service or as open competition, based on a competence-based selection process. The aim is to obtain precise and verifiable information about when candidates have displayed the particular behaviours and expertise at the level required for the vacancy. There have only been two general promotion boards, in 2003 and in 2004, to fill a number of vacancies and projected vacancies in the senior civil service. Selection was also through a generic competence-based process, supported by psychometric and cognitive tests, a presentation and final panel interview.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many non-pensionable bonuses were awarded to members of his staff in each of the last three years; and at what total cost.

Barry Gardiner: DEFRA changed its payroll provider in November 2004. It would be disproportionate cost to report on the archived data prior to 2005-06.
	During the period 1 April 2005-31 March 2006, Defra paid 4362 non-pensionable bonuses at a cost of 3,356,845.67. This equates to 1.25 per cent. of the 2005-06 pay bill.
	These figures, taken from the DEFRA payroll also include agency staff in the: Pesticides Safety Directorate, State Veterinary Service, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Marine Fisheries Agency and Government Decontamination Service.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in his Department did not achieve an acceptable mark in their annual report in each of the last three years; and what percentage this represented of the total number of staff in each case.

Barry Gardiner: For 2003-04 17 staff (0.27 per cent.), and in 2004-05 18 staff (0.28 per cent.) were assessed as unacceptable. The 2005-06 annual appraisal exercise is on going.
	These figures are for staff in core DEFRA, the Pesticides Safety Directorate, State Veterinary Service, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Marine Fisheries Agency and Government Decontamination Service.

Flooding

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to help areas which may suffer flooding in the next 12 months.

Ian Pearson: The Government invest significant sums of money each year to reduce the risk of flooding. Total central and local government funding for flood and coastal erosion risk management has nearly doubled from 307 million in 1996-97 to around 600 million in 2005-06.
	Local authorities and the emergency services have contingency plans in place to cope with a range of incidents in their areas, including flooding. The Environment Agency (EA) also maintains its own local, regional and national level flood contingency plans. At the national level, DEFRA is the lead role for flood emergencies within Government, and our Lead Department Plan sets out the co-ordination arrangements needed at all levels.
	The Government have set up a regional resilience team in each of the English regions to enhance the co-ordination of planning for wide impact events, such as major flooding, and to improve lines of communication between central Government and local response teams if a serious incident does occur. The EA, with other stakeholders, also carries out a regular programme of exercises to test its capability at all levels. This included a national level exercise in 2004, Exercise Triton.
	Post-flooding, the recovery effort would be led by local authorities. Where they have incurred excessive expenditure as a consequence of a disaster or emergency they may be able to apply to the Department for Communities and Local Government for exceptional funding under the Bellwin Scheme.

Fox Hunting

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact on rural communities of the ban on fox hunting; and if he will consider the merits of repealing the ban.

Barry Gardiner: The Government have no plans to repeal the Hunting Act 2004. Since the ban came into effect, evidence has shown that hunts are continuing to meet and ride within the law and that the dire consequences for rural communities predicted by opponents of the Act have not materialised.

Rural Development Programme

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what matched funding will be raised in 2006-07 to permit the rural development programme in England to be adequately funded;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to match fund modulation for farmers.

Barry Gardiner: During 2006, the England rural development programme will continue to be funded by EU rural development money from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF) and by transfers from Pillar 1 direct payments through voluntary modulation. Receipts from both of these funding sources will continue to be co-financed on an equal basis by the UK Exchequer and the EU.
	From 1 January 2007, a new rural development programming period will commence with slightly different rules. The EAGGF will be replaced by a new fund called the European agricultural fund for rural development (EAFRD). This will include funds transferred from the 5 per cent. compulsory modulation applied in the old EU-15 member states. Any money from this fund must be co-financed by the national exchequer. This will normally involve equal funding by the Exchequer and the EU, although new rules allow this to be set at a ratio of 45 per cent. exchequer funding to 55 per cent. EU funding for some schemes.
	The December 2005 EU budget summit agreed that from 2007, member states could decide at what level to match-fund any receipts from voluntary modulation. However, final decisions have yet to be taken about the levels of voluntary modulation and co-financing which will apply during the period 2007-13.

Single Farm Payments

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms in Bridgwater constituency are entitled to single farm payments; and what total amount had been paid in single farm payments to farmers in that constituency at 1 May 2006.

Barry Gardiner: 120,367 applications were received for the single payment scheme (SPS). By the end of Tuesday 30 May 95,674 claims (79 per cent.) had been paid.
	Analysis of these applications by constituency is not available but the total amount of payments for the single farm payment scheme in the Bridgwater constituency at 1 May 2006 was 2.938 million.

Single Farm Payments

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the delays within the Single Payment Scheme on the ability of the Rural Payments Agency to deliver each of its other programmes.

Barry Gardiner: The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has kept Ministers and officials informed of the impact of administering the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) on all of the Agency's programmes. Given the importance of the SPS to the farming community RPA has, with ministerial agreement, sought to focus as many staff as it can on that scheme. This has meant that less effort has been deployed on some other activities at particular points over the past year and has resulted in a reduction in previous performance levels on other schemes. The Agency has kept representative organisations informed of its approach to SPS and other activities.

Water Leakage

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will ensure that the method of calculating acceptable levels of leakage by water companies takes account of the effects of leaks on  (a) the environment and  (b) consumers.

Ian Pearson: Leakage targets are set by the Economic Regulator, Ofwat and will be kept under review. They require water companies to compare the cost of reducing leakage and the value of the water saved, including any associated environmental and social costs and benefits. Leakage targets are set to balance the needs of consumers, against the environmental benefits associated with reduced leakage.

Woodland Grant Scheme

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications from the  (a) private,  (b) not-for-profit and  (c) public sectors have been accepted under the woodland creation section of the England Woodland Grant Scheme in the last bidding round in each region; and what the (i) value of and (ii) area covered by each bid is.

Barry Gardiner: The Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme was open for woodland creation grant applications between 18 July 2005 and 30 September 2005. In this period 596 applications were made and 448 met or exceeded the published scoring threshold and were accepted for processing. Of these 326 have resulted in signed grant scheme contracts. The remaining 122 were either withdrawn by the applicant or have outstanding technical or administrative issues to be resolved, including in some cases a final decision from the applicant as to whether they wish to proceed.
	The information on the accepted (i.e. met or exceeded the published scoring threshold) and approved applications by ownership type for each region and is given in the following tables.
	
		
			  Private Owners (Personal and Business Occupiers) 
			   Accepted for processing  Grant Scheme contract signed 
			  Region  Area (ha)  Number  Value (000)  Area (ha)  Number  Value (000) 
			 East of England 117 31 223 105 25 196 
			 East Midlands 214 28 463 142 23 293 
			 London 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North East 154 30 338 86 19 189 
			 North West 303 38 625 210 26 431 
			 South East 215 35 476 172 26 391 
			 South West 850 165 1,524 649 112 1,119 
			 West Midlands 123 22 232 96 17 177 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 259 37 527 198 26 405 
			 Total 2235 386 4,408 1658 274 3,201 
		
	
	
		
			  Not for Profit (Voluntary Organisation) 
			   Accepted for processing  Grant Scheme contract signed 
			  Region  Area (ha)  Number  Value (000)  Area (ha)  Number  Value (000) 
			 East of England 48 4 124 48 4 124 
			 East Midlands 6 3 13 6 3 13 
			 London 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North East 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North West 8 2 18 8 2 18 
			 South East 10 1 29 10 1 29 
			 South West 210 9 355 210 9 355 
			 West Midlands 2 1 3 2 1 3 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 25 1 70 0 0 0 
			 Total 309 21 612 284 20 542 
		
	
	
		
			  Public Sector (Government Department, Crown Estates, National Forest Company, Local Authority etc.) 
			   Accepted for processing  Grant Scheme contract signed 
			  Region  Area (ha)  Number  Value (000)  Area (ha)  Number  Value (000) 
			 East of England 9 4 22 4 3 9 
			 East Midlands 25 8 60 25 8 60 
			 London 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North East 117 15 248 87 12 186 
			 North West 5 1 15 5 1 15 
			 South East 18 3 44 18 3 44 
			 South West 10 4 24 2 2 4 
			 West Midlands 17 6 46 8 3 23 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 201 41 459 149 32 341 
			  Note:  The Ownership type declared by the applicant is either: (a) Personal Occupier (b) Business Occupier (c) Voluntary Organisation (d) Government Department, Crown Estates, National Forest Company (e) Other Public e.g. Local Authority 
		
	
	These have been grouped into three categories in the tables.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcohol Sales

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the negative price differential between alcoholic and soft drinks.

Tony McNulty: None. However, we have been working with the drinks industry to raise standards of operating practice and support their principles and standards document which was published in November. This contains guidance on preventing irresponsible promotions and includes the recommendation that operators include a selection of soft drinks or low alcohol drinks at reduced prices during the happy hour. We have been working with all sectors of the trade to put this document into place.

Assets Recovery Agency

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 11 May 2006,  Official Report, column 508W, on the Assets Recovery Agency, if he will break down the total value of realised assets for  (a) 2004-05 and  (b) 2005-06 by type of assets realised.

Vernon Coaker: The information as regards realised assets in 2004-05 is set out in the table. I regret that the total sum of realised assets in 2004-05 given in my earlier reply, 11 May 2006,  Official Report, column 508W, was understated by 0.158 million. I am now advised by the Assets Recovery Agency that the correct figure is 4.3 million. The agency's annual report for 2005-06, which will set out progress in meeting last year's targets, including the value of realised assets, will be laid before Parliament shortly.
	
		
			  Value realised 2004-05 
			  Asset type   million 
			 Cash(1) 4.0 
			 Houses 0.3 
			 Vehicles 0.0005 
			 Total 4.3 
			 (1) Cash covers bank accounts, money seized by other law enforcement and money held in solicitors and other client accounts etc.

Assets Recovery Agency

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Assets Recovery Agency recovered assets equivalent to 100 per cent. of its budget in  (a) 2004-05 and  (b) 2005-06.

Vernon Coaker: The Agency did not recover assets equivalent to 100 per cent. of its budget for 2004-05 which was its second full year of operation. Civil recovery cases in the High Court can take over two years to complete litigation. This period is longer where respondents seek to use all their rights of appeal. The impact of legal challenges, although inevitable with new legislation, has delayed the progress of cases in the High Court. The Agency's Annual Report for 2005-06, which will set out progress in meeting last year's targets, will be laid before Parliament shortly.

Criminal Records Bureau

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the financial impact on voluntary organisations of their Registered Body status being removed by the Criminal Records Bureau.

Joan Ryan: Draft regulations were submitted to the Domestic Affairs Committee prior to being laid before Parliament. A full regulatory impact assessment was completed. It was acknowledged that small organisations would probably not be able to satisfy the minimum threshold and would need to approach other organisations in order to obtain checks on their employees and incur the associated costs. However, in some cases it was concluded that the costs of using such an organisation would be lower than the administrative costs of running and maintaining a small volume Registered Body.
	The proposed changes arose from a key recommendation of the 2002 Independent Review of the CRB and were supported by the recent Bichard Inquiry. The intention is to make the Registered Body network more professional and more experienced in the disclosure process which will allow the CRB to ensure that the network of users is proficient in the security and policies of the CRB.
	As part of the continuous consultation process, the CRB are working with the voluntary and community sector (VCS) to resolve issues about access to the disclosure service. To this end, there are several voluntary and not-for-profit Umbrella Bodies (UBs) that serve the VCS and details of these are available on an improved web page of the CRB website. Charges by these UBs are comparatively low and in some cases, services are free to volunteers. Access to the disclosure service will be maintained by this UB network. By using voluntary or not-for-profit UBs, the cost of accessing the disclosure service will be kept to an absolute minimum for voluntary organisations and, in many cases, the charges will be less than the administrative costs associated with direct registration with the CRB.
	The CRB will provide advice, guidance and support to organisations on the options available to access the disclosure service before their registration is cancelled due to low volume.

Criminal Records Bureau

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many criminal record checks were carried out  (a) for people undertaking voluntary work and  (b) for voluntary organisations in each year since 1998;
	(2)  how many voluntary organisations  (a) are registered bodies for the purposes of the Criminal Records Bureau,  (b) lost their registered body status as a result of not meeting the minimum number of checks per annum in each year since 1998 and  (c) applied to be registered bodies in each year.

Joan Ryan: The number of criminal record checks carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau for people undertaking voluntary work since the disclosure service was launched in 2002 is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2002 122,177 
			 2003 386,194 
			 2004 495,811 
			 2005 556,935 
			 2006 194,411 
		
	
	Information is not available to answer the hon. Member's question about the number of checks carried out for voluntary organisations in each year since 2002.
	There are 350 registered bodies who have defined themselves as voluntary organisations which are registered for the purposes of processing disclosures. To date, the registered body status of 66 voluntary organisations is currently under review initially as a result of not meeting the minimum number of checks in any 12-month period. As part of this review there will be an appeals process. The basis of a successful appeal will be on the specific situation of each organisation and will be based on various criteria such as the services the group supplies, whether it has any sector speciality and the number of other organisations in the area. The number of voluntary organisations which applied to be registered bodies in each year is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2002 143 
			 2003 111 
			 2004 48 
			 2005 41 
			 2006 7

Deportations

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals are held as convicted prisoners in  (a) Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution,  (b) Grendon Prison,  (c) Springhill Prison and  (d) Woodhill Prison; how many such prisoners were convicted of each category of offence; in the case of how many such prisoners the trial judge recommended that deportation be considered at the end of the custodial sentence; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested on foreign nationals being held as convicted prisoners in each of the prisons listed, by type of offence and as recorded on the Prison IT system, is provided in the table.
	Information about those detained in the prisons listed who have been recommended for deportation is not held centrally. The Immigration And Nationality Directorate are in the process of introducing a system to enable this information to be routinely collated.
	
		
			  Foreign national convicted prisoners held in prisons in Buckinghamshire on 31 March 2006, by type of offence 
			   Prison 
			  Offence  Aylesbury  Grendon/Spring Hill  Woodhill 
			 Violence against the person 23 7 11 
			 Sexual offences 13 2 4 
			 Robbery 20 2 6 
			 Burglary 5 3 5 
			 Theft and handling  2 14 
			 Fraud and forgery 1 4 22 
			 Drug offences 14 9 13 
			 Motoring offences  1 6 
			 Other offences 7 2 7 
			 All offences 84 32 89 
			  Note:  Includes sentenced and convicted unsentenced prisoners.

Family Indefinite Leave to Remain Exercise

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals who have been granted leave to remain under the Government's Family Indefinite Leave to Remain Exercise have had  (a) a claim for asylum refused and  (b) a claim for asylum refused and exhausted their rights of appeal.

Liam Byrne: The requested information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

Fire Sprinklers

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the policy is of his Department with regard to the fitting of fire sprinkler systems in  (a) forensic hospitals and  (b) prisons.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Home Department is responsible for fire safety policy in prisons, and the Department of Health has this responsibility for high and medium security psychiatric hospitals.
	In prison cells, the usefulness of sprinklers is unproven as they pose practical and operational implementation difficulties and are costly and difficult to install, particularly in existing establishments. A policy regarding the use of sprinklers is to be determined in the context of an overall prison fire safety strategy. Sprinklers have been fitted in some prisons in high-risk areas such as kitchens and hospitals.
	In the three high security psychiatric hospitals, no sprinklers have been fitted. The design guide for medium secure psychiatric units does not specifically mention sprinklers. Instead, building designs include measures such as fire compartmentation and easy horizontal evacuation to places of safety.

Foreign Prisoners

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what procedures the UK immigration service follows relevant to the handling of cases where a Scottish judge has recommended a foreign national on sentencing to be deported on release;
	(2)  what discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Prison Service on foreign national prisoners recommended for deportation who are serving their sentence in a Scottish prison.

Liam Byrne: I refer to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary on 23 May.

Free on Licence Prisoners

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many of the prisoners free on licence following life sentences his Department does not have addresses.

Gerry Sutcliffe: All life sentence prisoners are released on licence on the authority of the independent Parole Board. The licensee must comply with a number of specific licence conditions, including a requirement to be supervised by a probation officer and to live only at approved addresses. Although the supervision element of the licence may be removed after a minimum of four years, the life licence remains in force for the rest of the person's life and can be revoked at any time if such action is necessary on risk grounds.
	A total of 1,565 life licensees were under active supervision on 31 March 2006 and their addresses are known to the relevant probation areas. In 23 other cases where the life licence has been revoked, the life licensees are unlawfully at large pending their arrest and return to custody. The police are notified when prisoners abscond and their details are entered on the Police National Computer.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will reply to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green of 7 February 2006 regarding a constituent Mrs. Mackay (ne Lema) of Victoria Road, London, Home Office Reference L1115499.

Liam Byrne: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the hon. Member on 24 February 2006.

Immigration/Asylum

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum detainees who escaped from the Yarl's Wood detention centre on 14 February 2002 have subsequently been detained.

Liam Byrne: Many records were burnt or destroyed on the night of the fire and, to the best of our knowledge, the following figures are correct. Of the 23 escapees 16 have been relocated. Of these, nine have been removed, four re-detained (three of whom were subsequently released), one reported to Croydon enforcement unit voluntarily and was released and two were granted temporary release. The whereabouts of seven remain unknown. Decisions on the 16 were made in line with the casework criteria as it applies to their individual circumstances.

Immigration/Asylum

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees held at the Yarl's Wood detention centre on 14 February 2002 were unaccounted for following the fire at the centre that day.

Liam Byrne: 23 detainees were unaccounted for in the immediate aftermath of the fire. Stephen Shaw published brief details of these people in his comprehensive report of the fire and disturbance.

Immigration/Asylum

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of people arriving in the UK on student visas who  (a) returned and  (b) did not return to their country of origin upon completion of their studies in the last 5 years.

Liam Byrne: Following withdrawal of the control for passengers travelling to continental destinations from ferry ports and small/medium-sized airports by the Government in 1994, the UK has had a diminished ability to record exit movements, and so such calculations are problematic.
	The e-Borders programme will soon use biometric data to record passenger movements at UK ports.

Individual Support Orders

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment has been made of the reasons for the difference in the number of individual support orders and antisocial behaviour orders issued;
	(2)  what account he expects the courts to take of the mandatory nature of individual support orders when issuing antisocial behaviour orders;
	(3)  how much has been provided to fund individual support orders since they were introduced;
	(4)  how much funding for individual support orders has been allocated, broken down by local authority; and how much such funding has been spent, broken down by authority;
	(5)  whether there are any plans for further funding for individual support orders beyond that already allocated.

Tony McNulty: Individual support orders (ISOs) can be attached to stand-alone antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) for 10 to 17 year-olds.
	We are working with the Youth Justice Board and HM Court Service to increase the take-up of ISOs, and we are starting to see encouraging signs of wider use. This includes actively promoting their use to all interested parties at antisocial behaviour-related events and updating advice and guidance. We are implementing a Home Office/Youth Justice Board/HM Courts Service action plan and as part of this we have just completed a series of meetings with Youth Offending Teams to ascertain views on barriers to take- up and to see what needs to be done to encourage increased numbers. We are currently examining the information from these meetings but initial soundings are that ISOs are a popular measure with those people who have been consulted.
	When considering making a stand-alone ISO on a young person the court must make one in every applicable case if it considers that it would help prevent further antisocial behaviour. The Judicial Studies Board is producing a new updated antisocial behaviour training programme for magistrates, which will feature ISOs, and incorporate them within practical training exercises to assist magistrates in fulfilling their statutory duty.
	We provided 500,000 to YJB in June 2005 to fund ISOs. Funding for this financial year and from now on is available through the 45 million uplift given to the Youth Justice Board as part of their youth prevention budget.
	The funding is allocated to Youth Offending Teams based on a formula and they have submitted plans to the Youth Justice Board on how they plan to spend itsome have specific ISO schemes and others have looked to embed the work into Youth Inclusion Support Panels.

London Bombings

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much compensation has been  (a) allocated for and  (b) paid to those affected by the terrorist attacks in London on 7 July.

Tony McNulty: Victims of the London bombings of 7 July 2005 are eligible for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). In a written ministerial statement of 17 November 2005,  Official Report, column 78WS, my right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary (Mr. Clarke) said that he was allocating another 5 million to CICA to cover costs associated with the London bombings. We announced in May that an additional 2.5 million was being made available for the victims of the London bombings over and above their awards from the Compensation Scheme.
	As at 26 May 2006, CICA had paid 319 awards totalling 2.12 million to victims of the London bombings. 189 of these awards were final awards: the others were interim awards.
	The Government also contributed 1 million to the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund, which has made payments totalling around 8 million to victims of the London bombings.

National Identity Register

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines the Government have in place to regulate  (a) which bodies will have access to the National Identity Register and  (b) how these bodies will be able to use this information; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: The Identity Cards Act 2006 does not provide for any direct access to information on the National Identity Register (NIR) for organisations, either with or without the consent of the individual. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) intends to provide an identity verification service. This does not provide direct access to the NIR but rather it intends to verify an individual's identity in a method appropriate to the situation, ranging from an electronic card authentication to the provision of information to an organisation based on a specific request.
	The Identity Cards Act 2006 establishes a number of conditions and safeguards regarding the use of the identity verification service by organisations.
	It is expected that most identity checks will be done with the consent of the individual. Section 12 covers the provision of information with the consent of the individual. It limits the information that may be provided to organisations as part of a verification check with consent and also allows for regulations to be made prescribing how the individual's authority and consent for the provision of information is to be given. Private sector companies will only be permitted to use identity services with the consent of the individual and thus are regulated under this section.
	Sections 13-16 cover the use of identity services in relation to the provision of public services. These sections ensure that the use of identity services by public service providers must be approved by Parliament by affirmative order and may also be subject to consultation with the users of that service before it can commence.
	Powers to provide information from the NIR without consent are strictly limited and laid out in Sections 17-21. Information may be disclosed without consent to Security and Intelligence Agencies for the purposes of carrying out their functions. The Police and the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs may also be provided with information held on the scheme but the type of information and the circumstances in which it may be provided are limited under Section 17(3) and 17(4). Furthermore, Section 18(4) limits the provision of information on when a person's record on the Register has been checked to purposes connected with the prevention and detection of serious crime alone. Under Section 17(5) and 20(1), the provision of information without consent to any other Government Department or public authority could not occur unless it had been approved by Parliament by affirmative order.
	The Act also provides for the accreditation of organisations before they can be provided with information from an individual's record from the NIR. The accreditation process will establish the business need for the information and whether their internal systems and procedures are satisfactory. The process will also establish the terms and conditions under which an organisation can use the identity services offered by IPS.
	With regard to the use of this information by organisations, there are also a number of safeguards.
	Firstly, user organisations will continue to be subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 in how they handle any information received from a verification check. Thus, the safeguards within that Act and the independent oversight of the Information Commissioner in relation to its provisions will apply.
	Secondly, the National Identity Scheme Commissioner (NISC) or, where appropriate, the Intelligence Services Commissioner will provide independent oversight as to how the National Identity Scheme operates and the uses to which ID cards are put. The NISC will publish a report every year, which will be laid before Parliament.
	Thirdly, IPS will also reserve the right to audit any user organisation's processes to ensure they remain compliant with the terms and conditions of the use of the identity verification services.
	Finally, Section 21 of the Identity Cards Act provides for the establishment of restrictions on how the provision of information without consent may operate, which may include stipulations that only certain ranks or postholders in an organisation are permitted to receive any information provided after a request for information from the NIR.

Opiate Products

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department, subject to quality and quota restrictions, will permit manufacturers of opiate products for medicinal use in acute pain relief and long-term palliative care to import the restricted raw materials they need from approved sources in the European Economic Association or from countries where a high level of institutional co-operation exists; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Importation policy is governed by the United Nations single convention on narcotic drugs, 1961 which calls on Governments to restrict international trade to the minimum necessary to meet countries' medical needs. The policy also takes account of the United Kingdom's obligations to the European Union and to the European Economic Association. Imports from EU and EEA countries can therefore be considered.
	There is no basis for importation from any other source irrespective of levels of institutional co-operation.

Opiate Products

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many controlled drugs' raw materials are manufactured by a monopoly supplier for UK production; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Macfarlan Smith Ltd. is licensed to manufacture 33 opiate derivatives. Its effective monopoly position arises from the absence of any other applicant for a manufacturing licence.

Penal Policy

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned into the effect of levels of incarceration on the rate of criminal activity.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Currently no research is being carried out on the effect of levels of incarceration on the rate of criminal activity. Some work previously carried out in 2003 for the correctional services review (Managing Offenders, Reducing Crime by Patrick Carter) estimated that the increased use of prison in England and Wales since 1997 had reduced crime by around 5 per cent. However, international evidence shows no consistent relationship between levels of incarceration and crime.

Police

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce his decision on whether to restructure Hampshire Police; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: A statement was made by the Home Secretary on 20 March indicating that Hampshire Police would stand alone as a strategic force.
	The Home Secretary has made it clear that he believes that the establishment of strategic police forces through the merger of existing police areas is the basis for a reformed, fully effective police service in the future and in particular is the necessary step to enhance the stability of local neighbourhood policing, and that he wishes to carefully review the restructuring programme before making announcements on the best way forward.

Police

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors were taken into account when the decision was made that Kent police should remain a single entity.

Tony McNulty: The decision that Kent police could remain a single entity and internally reconfigure to improve its provision of protective services took into account professional advice from Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary.
	The decision further took into account: the business case submitted by Kent police which set out planned reforms to further develop its provision of protective services and neighbourhood policing; financial assessments of the case commissioned by the Home Office; and the need to establish a balanced and resilient regional and national policing landscape.
	The Home Secretary has made it clear that he believes that the establishment of strategic police forces through the merger of existing police areas is the basis for a reformed, fully effective police service in the future and in particular is the necessary step to enhance the stability of local neighbourhood policing, and that he wishes to carefully review the restructuring programme before making announcements on the best way forward.

Police

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Written Statement of 20 March 2006,  Official Report, columns 6-7W, on Police Force Restructuring, 
	(1)  what reasons underlay his decision not to restructure Hampshire Police; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what reasons underlay his decision not to restructure Hampshire Police; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Home Secretary's decision to allow Hampshire Police to remain as a stand-alone force was informed by the professional advice of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary that the force has the capacity, capability and resilience to provide protective services to national standards.
	The decision further took into account:
	the business case submitted by Hampshire Police which set out planned reforms to further develop its provision of protective services and neighbourhood policing;
	financial assessments of the case commissioned by the Home Office; and
	the need to establish a balanced and resilient regional and national policing landscape.
	The Home Secretary has made it clear that he believes that the establishment of strategic police forces through the merger of existing police areas is the basis for a reformed, fully effective police service in the future and in particular is the necessary step to enhance the stability of local neighbourhood policing, and that he wishes to carefully review the restructuring programme before making announcements on the best way forward.

Prisons

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the 10 most common offences were for which men were sent to prison in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by age group.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested is contained in the table.
	
		
			  Men sentenced to immediate custody at all courts in England and Wales in 2004top 10 offences( 1) 
			   Number of men sentenced to immediate custody 
			  Offence  Aged 10-17  Aged 18-20  Aged 21 and over  All ages 
			 Driving whilst disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence 398 1,782 9,583 11,763 
			 Theft from shops 169 682 10,142 10,993 
			 Other wounding(2) 653 1,631 6,420 8,704 
			 Burglary in a dwelling 673 1,053 4,780 6,506 
			 Robbery 1,024 1,164 2,522 4,710 
			 Production, supply and possession (with intent to supply) Class A drugs 115 510 3,448 4,073 
			 Common assault 228 521 3,254 4,003 
			 Burglary in a building other than dwelling 269 536 2,850 3,655 
			 Failing to surrender to bail 31 385 2,530 2,946 
			 Driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs 42 185 2,631 2,858 
			 (1) Published offence categories (2) Mostly assaults occasioning actual bodily harm and wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent  Source:  RDS-NOMS 05-Jun-06

Prisons

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have absconded from each open prison in England in each year since 1997; how many have been recaptured; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There have been 7,105 absconds from open prisons in England since 1 April 1997. A break down of the number of prisoners who have absconded from each open prison over the last five years is given in the following table.
	Available data indicates that 356 prisoners remain unlawfully at large from those who absconded from English open prisons since one April 1997. The police are notified when prisoners abscond and their details are entered on the police national computer.
	Absconds from open prisons in England between 1997-98 and 2005-06.
	
		
			  Absconds from open prisons in England between 1997-98 and 2005-06. 
			   North Sea Camp  Sudbury  Hollesley Bay  Askham Grange  East Sutton Park  Morton Hall  Ford  Standford Hill 
			 1997-98 25 81 13 35 5 20 53 35 
			 1998-99 32 75 25 17 3 15 40 40 
			 1999-2000 27 63 11 20 3 23 68 43 
			 2000-01 24 69 24 21 3 6 57 29 
			 2001-02 36 81 8 19 3  57 37 
			 2002-03 34 68 14 12   91 83 
			 2003-04 79 75 36 31 1  142 89 
			 2004-05 33 77 32 12 2  110 39 
			 2005-06 49 76 16 14 4  96 58 
		
	
	
		
			   Kirkham  Thorn Cross  Leyhill  Spring Hill  Hewell Grange  Moorland  Wealstun  Total 
			 1997-98 234 168 20 20 13 1 48 771 
			 1998-99 202 135 25 9 25 1 70 714 
			 1999-2000 171 147 34 14 11  72 707 
			 2000-01 169 110 25 14 24  105 680 
			 2001-02 163 135 19 12 8  79 657 
			 2002-03 208 152 33 23 14  101 833 
			 2003-04 213 130 114 60 36 68 144 1,218 
			 2004-05 120 90 102 36 32 73 74 832 
			 2005-06 74 105 66 34 24 49 28 693

Prisons

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people convicted of  (a) murder,  (b) rape and  (c) robbery have absconded from English prisons in each year from 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Absconds can only take place from open prisons and only prisoners who are category D, the lowest security category, can be placed in open conditions. Open prisons take prisoners who are nearing completion of their sentence in preparation for their release. As part of the categorisation process prisoners are subject to a rigorous and robust risk assessment. Only those assessed as not being a risk to the public and of low risk of escape will be categorised as D.
	Available data indicate that 1,018 prisoners have absconded since 1997 who were serving sentences for murder, rape or robbery. A break down of these is given in the following table. The police are notified when prisoners abscond and their details are entered on the police national computer.
	
		
			  Prisoners convicted of murder, rape and robbery who absconded from English prisons between 1997 and 2006 
			   Number of absconders convicted of murder  Number of absconders convicted of rape  Number of absconders convicted of robbery 
			 1997-98 5  46 
			 1998-99 12 1 46 
			 1999-00 13 1 92 
			 2000-01 19 1 86 
			 2001-02 17 0 85 
			 2002-03 16 1 114 
			 2003-04 19 1 175 
			 2004-05 16 1 119 
			 2005-06 17 1 114 
			 Total 134 7 877

Prisons

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners held in Ford prison while awaiting deportation or being considered for deportation  (a) have absconded in 2006 and  (b) absconded in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 5 June 2006
	To date in 2006, 61 prisoners have absconded from Ford open prisons. 33 of these are foreign nationals, 19 were being considered for enforcement proceedings by the immigration and nationality directorate and one was going to be deported. Information about the deportation status of prisoners who absconded prior to 2006 is not held centrally by the Prison Service and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Security Industry Authority

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licence applications to the Security Industry Authority have been rejected in the last 12 months  (a) because the form was not correctly completed,  (b) because the accompanying documents were not adequate and  (c) on substantive grounds because the applicant was not a person who should be licensed; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: This information is not held centrally. However, the Security Industry Authority has worked closely with the industry to implement changes which have successfully reduced the rejection rate from 50 per cent. in January 2006 to approximately 20 per cent. at the beginning of March. There are a little over 12,000 applications recorded as rejected and awaiting re-submission from the applicant. As at 31 May, 4,042 licences had been refused on substantive grounds, namely that the applicant had a criminal history.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which posts in the Serious and Organised Crime Agency are vacant; and what grade each is.

Vernon Coaker: The Serious Organised Crime Agency was established on 1 April 2006 with a staff of around 4,300, the vast majority of whom came from the precursor agencies. SOCA has identified a shortage of up to 150 posts in some specific skills at grades 1-3, across operational and corporate services directorates, which it is now seeking to fill through external recruitment and internal promotion and staff moves.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2006, to question number 71551, how many posts the Serious Organised Crime Agency is seeking to fill.

Vernon Coaker: The Serious Organised Crime Agency's workforce plan is to fill up to 150 posts through internal promotion, external recruitment and staff moves to meet the identified skills shortages.

Shoplifting

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many shoplifting cases were brought before the courts in each of the last 10 years; how many cases in each year led to  (a) an acquittal and  (b) a conviction; and how many of those defendants were facing their first criminal charge.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Information held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, acquitted and found guilty at all courts for 'theft from shops' for the years 1994 to 2004 in England and Wales, are provided in the following table.
	It is not possible to identify how many defendants were facing their first criminal charge from the data held on the court proceedings database. Data for 2005 will be available in the autumn.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty or acquitted at all courts of 'theft from shops'( 1)  England and Wales, 1994-2004 
			   Proceeded against( 2)  Found guilty  Acquitted (magistrates' court)( 3)  Acquitted (Crown Court 
			 1994 60,019 48,863 1,444 402 
			 1995 61,468 50,435 1,247 380 
			 1996 65,220 54,102 1,327 384 
			 1997 69,666 58,401 1,348 382 
			 1998 77,915 66,690 1,507 352 
			 1999 85,491 74,350 1,573 339 
			 2000 89,050 77,542 1,637 316 
			 2001 92,233 79,933 1,937 319 
			 2002 92,664 80,167 1,964 271 
			 2003 86,089 74,928 1,700 268 
			 2004 78,241 69,542 1,394 225 
			 (1 )These data are provided on the principal offence basis  (2 )The prosecution figures include cases that were discontinued or withdrawn at the magistrates' court as well as cases that were committed to the Crown Court but not tried.  (3 )Offenders who were discharged or had cases dismissed at magistrates' courts   Source:  RDS-Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Stansted Hijacking

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has received evidence that the Stansted hijacking was also part of a people smuggling operation; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: We have received no evidence that the Stansted hijacking was part of a people smuggling operation. Our current understanding is that the purpose of the hijack was to claim asylum.

UK Passports

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK passports were reported  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

Joan Ryan: holding answer 7 June 2006
	It is not possible for the UK Passport Service to identify exactly how many passports were reported lost or stolen in Northern Ireland. However, the Belfast passport office, which serves the Northern Ireland area, processed the following reports of  (a) loss and  (b) theft of a passport for the calendar years of 2004, 2005 and 2006 to date.
	
		
			  Belfast 
			   Lost  Stolen 
			 2004 9,496 1,959 
			 2005 9,615 1,117 
			 2006 (to date) 4,329 473 
		
	
	The total figures across the UK for the last three years are as follows:
	
		
			  UK 
			   Lost  Stolen  Other  Total 
			 2003 184,301 
			 2004 212,745 50,737 11,558 275,040 
			 2005 230,011 45,709 11,268 286,988 
			 2006 (to 6 June) 96,292 16,037 4,712 117,041

Workers Registration Scheme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to revise the Workers Registration Scheme to  (a) increase the level of registration and  (b) reduce illegal working.

Liam Byrne: In developing and implementing the Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) we have sought to strike the right balance between the objective of monitoring the labour market impact of enlargement and avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy. The Government believe that the WRS has worked well to date as a means of monitoring impacts and as a safeguard against illegal working and fraudulent access to benefits. However, we will continue to keep the need for the scheme under review.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on progress made in training Afghan police in Helmand province.

Kim Howells: The Government of Afghanistan's National Police Reform Programme has not, up to now, reached the southern provinces and training of the National Afghan Police (ANP) in Helmand province has been slow. This has been largely due to the difficult security situation in southern Afghanistan which has hampered the International Community's efforts to provide training and follow-up support. Since the establishment of the UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand on 1 May 2006, the UK has been working closely with the provincial government and the Ministry of Interior to accelerate progress. At the beginning of this year there were around 1,700 ANP in Helmand, of varying levels of expertise. Many will need additional training. Approximately 200 additional trained ANP officers have since been redeployed from elsewhere in Afghanistan to reinforce the current force levels while new recruits are trained and equipped under the German/US police training programme. The pay and rank review currently underway will determine the final shape of the police structure in Helmand.

Eritrea

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions the British Embassy in Eritrea has had with the Eritrean Government about the imprisonment of Eritrean citizens for belonging to Christian churches not recognised by the Government.

Geoff Hoon: We remain concerned by reports of state interference in religious affairs and lack of freedom of worship in Eritrea. We monitor closely action taken by the authorities against members of minority religious groups not recognised by the Government of Eritrea.
	Officials from our Embassy in Asmara continue to raise these issues with the Eritrean Government. As local EU presidency, the UK also conveys the EU's concerns, including through the EU-Eritrea Political Dialogue on Constitutional and Human Rights. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, wrote to President Isaias on 6 October expressing our concern and has raised this with the Eritrean Ambassador.

India

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Indian Government on the enactment of the Rajasthan Dharma Swatantrata Act in Rajasthan which prohibits religious conversion.

Kim Howells: It is for the Indian authorities to decide how to deal with this issue. However we have raised this in response to legitimate UK public and parliamentary interest.
	Officials from our High Commission in New Delhi raised this when they called on the Chair of the National Commission for Minorities in April.
	Although the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly approved this Act in April, we understand that the State Governor of Rajasthan refused to sign the bill when it was presented to her on 19 May.
	We will continue to monitor the situation.

Palestine

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the temporary international mechanism envisaged by the Middle East Quartet will channel humanitarian aid to the Palestinians; and how many public employees' salaries will be paid through that mechanism.

Kim Howells: The European Commission is continuing to discuss how the Temporary International Mechanism will operate with international donors, Quartet members and International Financial Institutions. The Mechanism seeks to provide support without funds passing through the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority.
	The payment of allowances to individual Palestinians is one of the areas under discussion. But we must be clear that the Mechanism cannot and does not seek to replace the role of the Palestinian Authority. It is the responsibility of the Palestinian government to pay its employees' salaries. The Government fully supports the Quartet statement of 9 May which said that donors were willing to restart direct support to the Palestinian Authority as soon as the Palestinian Authority government meets and implements the three Quartet principles. The full text of the 9 May statement can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=Open Market/Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=l145894914790.

United Nations

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on UN Security Council expansion.

Kim Howells: The Government supports expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership of the Security Council. This is essential to ensure that the Council remains representative of today's world. We continue to support the candidatures of Germany, Japan, India and Brazil for permanent seats on an enlarged Council, and for permanent African representation.
	As my right. hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in his Georgetown speech on 26 May, we want renewed momentum in the debate on Security Council enlargement.

PRIME MINISTER

32 (The Royal) Squadron

Vincent Cable: To ask the Prime Minister in respect of which official duties he used 32 (The Royal) Squadron for flights on  (a) 11 and 12 April 2002,  (b) 3 and 4 July 2003,  (c) 30 July 2003,  (d) 16 September 2004,  (e) 29 September 2003,  (f) 24 July 1998 and  (g) 26 June 1998; what the approximate take-off and landing times were of each flight; whether the carbon emissions were offset in respect of each flight; what other transport options were considered on each occasion; why other transport options were not used; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I travel making the most efficient and cost-effective arrangements. My travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel set out in chapter 10 of the Ministerial Code, and the accompanying guidance document Travel by Ministers. My visits cover a range of matters including health, education, criminal justice and the economy.
	Details of the approximate take-off and landing times are as follows:
	 (a) 11 April 2002 the flight departed at approximately 3 pm and returned at approximately 5.30 pm; on 12 April 2002 the flight departed at approximately 9 am and returned at approximately 12.30 pm
	 (b) 3-4 July 2003, the flight departed at approximately 1 pm and returned at approximately 1 pm.
	(c) 30 July 2003, 32 (The Royal) Squadron flight was not used.
	(d) 16 September 2004, 32 (The Royal) Squadron flight was not used.
	(e) 29 September 2003, 32 (The Royal) Squadron flight was not used.
	(f) 24 July 1998, the flight departed at approximately 8.30 am and returned at approximately 8.30 pm.
	(g) 26 June 1998, the flight departed at approximately 8.30 am and returned at approximately 11am.
	Carbon emissions arising from 32 squadron flights are now included in the Government's carbon emissions offsetting commitment. My air travel has been offset for the last year.

Constituency Visits

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the constituencies he visited between 5 May 2005 and 5 May 2006.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) on 2 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 1385-87W.

Departmental Budget

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister how much of the budget allocated to his Office remained unspent in each of the last 3 financial years for which figures are available; what use was subsequently made of each amount unspent; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: For accounting purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Hilary Armstrong) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Dorneywood

David Laws: To ask the Prime Minister which Minister will be the official resident of Dorneywood from June; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by my Official spokesman on 5 June. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Hinduja Brothers

David Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what official meetings he has had with one or more of the Hinduja brothers since taking office.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 20 July 2001,  Official Report, column 468W.

House of Lords

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the operation of section  (a) 2 and  (b) 3 of the House of Lords Act 1999; and what recent representations he has received about the operation of this Act.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the Labour party manifesto, which sets out our views on reform of the House of Lords. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House. I have recently received two letters on hereditary peers in the House of Lords.

Ministerial Appointments

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that the next Minister for Agriculture is a member of the House of Commons.

Tony Blair: As with previous Administrations, I make appointments which best meet the needs of the Government.

Ministerial Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all journeys he undertook on official business in 2005 about which he concluded on the basis of  (a) chapter 10 of the Ministerial Code and  (b) the accompanying guidance document, Travel by Ministers, that travel by train was the most efficient and cost-effective arrangement.

Tony Blair: My travel arrangements are conducted in accordance with the requirements of chapter 10 of the Ministerial Code, and the accompanying guidance document, Travel by Ministers, and on the basis of advice from the security authorities.

Ministerial Travel

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister who is responsible for overseeing the Travel by Ministers Guidance; what grade he or she is; what the details are of his or her career to date; who appointed him or her; whether the post was advertised; how many persons applied for the post; how many were short listed for interview; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: The covering note to Travel by Ministers sets out the relevant responsibilities in relation to Ministers' travel arrangements. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

Official Publications

Graham Stuart: To ask the Prime Minister what guidance is issued to Ministers on the use and disposal of official publications provided in the course of their official duties.

Tony Blair: Advice to Ministers on using official documents is set out in Section 6 of the Ministerial Code.
	The arrangements for managing Ministers' official papers, including their disposal, can be found in Guidance on Managing Private Office Papers published on the National Archives website (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice/pdf/popapersguidance.pdf) and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Parliamentary Questions

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister when he will answer Question 70378, on the House of Lords Act 1999, tabled on 11 May by the hon. Member for Southend, West; what the reason is for the delay in replying; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I have replied to the hon. Member today.

Resignation Honours

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to submit his resignation honours list to the House of Lords Appointments Commission for scrutiny and approval.

Tony Blair: The House of Lords Appointments Commission will continue to scrutinise any names put to them as appropriate, in the usual way.

Russell Chambers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Prime Minister what Russell Chambers' current role is; how much he is paid; how many meetings he has held with Mr. Chambers since his appointment; and whether Mr. Chambers has declared potential conflicts of interest.

Tony Blair: Russell Chambers has no Government appointment.

Simon Stevens

Tim Farron: To ask the Prime Minister whether Simon Stevens, President of United Health Europe, is a former health advisor to the Government.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on 31 March 2003,  Official Report, column 526W.

United States (Visit)

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister what the cost was of his most recent visit to the United States; how many  (a) officials,  (b) advisers and  (c) members of his family accompanied him; what the cost was in each case; where he and those who accompanied him stayed during this visit; what the cost was in each case; if he will list those (i) United States Senators, (ii) Members of Congress and (iii) others that he met during the visit; which British Government Departments provided briefing material for his use during this visit; whether he  (A) sought and  (B) received advice from (1) the United States Department of State and (2) other United States government departments during this visit; when he next plans to visit the United States; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing 500 or more during each financial year. Copies of these lists are available in the Library of the House. Information on the number of officials accompanying Ministers on overseas visits is included in the list. All Ministers' travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel set out in chapter 10 of the ministerial code, and the accompanying guidance document, Travel by Ministers. Information for the year 2005-06 will be published as soon as it is ready. No members of my family accompanied me on the visit.
	During my recent visit to the United States I met Senators Dodd, Sunnunu, Alexander and Obama from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Briefing was provided by the relevant Government Departments. Advice was neither sought nor received from any US Government Department. For security reasons, my future engagements are announced as and when appropriate.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Compensation Bill

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions she has had with trades unions on Clause 1 of the Compensation Bill [Lords]; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: Discussions have taken place with trades unions on all aspects of the Compensation Bill, including Clause 1.

Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what her Department's target time is for providing a substantive reply to letters from hon. Members; and why her noble and learned Friend's reply to the letter dated 6 April 2006 from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight was not dispatched until 22 May 2006.

Vera Baird: The Department aims to reply to 90 per cent. of letters from hon. Members within 20 working days of receipt. In 2005 Ministers replied to 3,179 letters with the target met in 92 per cent. of all cases. I apologise for the administrative oversight that led to the delay in sending a response to the hon. Member's letter of 6 April 2006.

Elections

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the level of voter turnout was in local elections in  (a) each London borough and  (b) the UK in each of the last five local elections.

Bridget Prentice: The information is as follows:
	 (a) Central Government do not hold the turnout information for the last five local elections in each London borough. The turnout for London as a whole at the last five local elections was as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 1990 48.1 
			 1994 46 
			 1998 34.6 
			 2002 33.6 
			 2006 35 
		
	
	(b) Average overall turnout for the last five local elections in the UK was as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 2002 33 
			 2003 38 
			 2004 (1)41 
			 2005 (2)64 
			 2006 37 
			 (1) local elections combined with European Parliamentary Elections  (2) local elections combined with UK Parliamentary Election

Family Courts

Sally Keeble: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many people have been sentenced to a term in prison by the family courts in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: Numbers of how many people have been sentenced to a term in prison by the family courts in each of the last five financial years are listed below under custody. These cases under custody include those sentenced to a prison and those kept in police cells. The following table also shows the number of people on bail and the number awaiting a medical report.
	
		
			  Financial year  Total  Bail  Custody  Medical reports 
			 2001-02 158 352 9 519 
			 2002-03 203 504 16 723 
			 2003-04 217 616 8 841 
			 2004-05 225 565 10 800 
			 2005-06 253 576 2 831 
		
	
	The figures are from the county and high courts and relate to the breach of Family Law Act 1996 orders.
	Figures for family proceeding courts are not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate costs.

Hutton Inquiry

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what role Mr. Peter Mandelson played in the selection of Lord Hutton to investigate the death of Dr. David Kelly; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Mr. Peter Mandelson played no part.

Individual Support Order

Ann Coffey: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what action is being taken to encourage magistrates to follow the mandatory obligation to impose an individual support order (ISO), attached to an antisocial behaviour order, in cases where an ISO would be desirable in the interests of preventing further antisocial behaviour.

Harriet Harman: The information is as follows:
	All magistrates are issued with the 'Adult Court Bench Book' that contains a checklist of factors to consider when imposing antisocial behaviour orders (ASBO) and ISOs. This guidance sets out the approach courts should take in respect of ISOs.
	All magistrates sit in court with a qualified legal adviser who is able to provide advice on relevant legislation, caselaw and guidance relating to ISOs.
	An article on ISOs featured in the March edition of 'The Magistrate' magazine.
	The judicial studies board is producing a new updated antisocial behaviour training programme for magistrates, which will feature ISOs, incorporating them within practical training exercises. We aim for this to be available by the end of the year.

Legal Services Commission

John Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many people with a medical or scientific background are employed by the Legal Services Commission to assess the validity of claims.

Vera Baird: holding answer 5 June 2006
	The Legal Services Commission (LSC) does not seek to recruit people with a medical or scientific background to assess the validity of claims to Legal Aid. However, the LSC has the power to obtain reports from independent experts to inform decision making.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Parliamentary Questions

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to question 61500 tabled by the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds on 22 March 2006, on the pension credit helpline.

James Purnell: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 25 May 2006,  Official Report, column 2036W.

Publicity Initiatives

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the annual cost has been to his Department of  (a) publicity initiatives and  (b) administration for the (i) minimum income guarantee and (ii) pension credit in each year since they were introduced;
	(2)  what funding his Department has allocated to publicity initiatives by local government to increase take-up of the  (a) minimum income guarantee and  (b) pension credit for each year since each was introduced.

James Purnell: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in 2001. Information on cost for activity prior to 2001 for minimum income guarantee can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The Pension Service continues to develop its activity-based information to better understand the cost of processing pension credit and other benefits. A modern resource management system is being rolled out across the Department in 2006. This new system includes costing functionality. Until this work is complete we cannot provide the cost of processing pension credit. Administration costs for minimum income guarantee will not be available under the new system.
	The pension service is the only agency responsible, with allocated funding for the publicity initiatives for pension credit.
	The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			   Amount () 
			  Publicity cost for minimum income guarantee  
			 2000-01 (1)3,510,000 
			   
			  Publicity for pension credit cost  
			 2002-03 600,000 
			 2003-04 14,800,000 
			 2004-05 7,500,000 
			 2005-06 2,500,000 
			 (1) Figure includes costs for advertising media and production and elements of 'other' publicity costs. This excludes costs incurred for customer research into MIG claim form.   Notes:  1. Allocated funding for pension credit publicity was equivalent to the total spent in each year.  2. Pension credit costs include advertising media and production, direct marketing, other publicity and fees, excluding VAT.

State Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the total state pension entitlement in real terms using 2005-06 prices for a person on median earnings who works from age 25, based upon  (a) the existing pensions system and  (b) the reformed pension system set out in the White Paper Cm 6841.

James Purnell: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			   Total weekly state pension  (basic and state second pension) () 
			   In 2005-06 prices  In 2005-06 earnings terms 
			 Under current scheme on reaching state pension age in 2050 245 100 
			 Under proposed reformed system on reaching state pension age in 2053 360 139 
			  Notes: 1. Estimates are for a male median earner (earning around 23,000 per annum) working from age 25 to state pension age (so reaching state pension age at age 65 in 2050 under the current scheme and at age 68 in 2053 under the proposed reformed scheme). 2. Estimates expressed in 2005-06 prices reflect the real terms value of pension entitlement in 2050 or 2053 relative to expected changes in the level of average prices over time. 3. Estimates expressed in 2005-06 earnings terms reflect the value of pension entitlement in 2050 or 2053 relative to expected changes in the level of average earnings over time.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Dorneywood

Julian Lewis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 23 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1664W whether the terms of the charitable trust for Dorneywood cover the issuing of invitations by the occupants.

John Prescott: The original trust deed of 9 November 1942 allows that Dorneywood shall be made available to the Prime Minister or a Minister of the Crown who is the nominated resident so that they may be able to entertain their guests from overseas and other official and personal guests.
	The hon. Member will be aware of my announcement on Wednesday 31 May that I no longer wish to be the official resident of Dorneywood. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will nominate a new resident in due course.

Dorneywood

Julian Lewis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the visitors who have stayed overnight at Dorneywood on his invitation in each year since it became his official residence.

John Prescott: This information is not collected centrally.
	I announced on Wednesday 31 May my personal decision that I no longer wish to be the official resident of Dorneywood. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has accepted that decision.
	Dorneywood is operated by a charitable Trust, and there was not any cost to the public purse arising from my use of it. By arrangement with the Trust, I paid my own expenses, such as food and the delivery of newspapers.

Engagements

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for each day since 4 May;

Theresa May: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will list the meetings he will be  (a) chairing and  (b) attending in the week commencing Monday 15 May as part of his official duties;
	(2)  if he will list his official engagements for the week commencing 15 May;

Peter Bone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will list his engagements relating to his responsibilities for overseeing the efficient development of Government policy in the week beginning 15 May.

John Prescott: I have had a number of official engagements since 4 May, including meetings with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, other members of Cabinet and a range of Government officials, as is usual in the discharge of my official duties. I have also been present in the House for a range of Government business.
	In addition, I have been on an official visit to Finland in preparation for their forthcoming presidency of the European Union, where I met the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry amongst other dignitaries.
	On behalf of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, I have chaired a meeting of the British Irish Council and very recently been on an official visit to Canada and the U.S.

Private Office Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of his private office staff is  (a) male,  (b) female and  (c) disabled.

John Prescott: 50 per cent, of my private office staff are male and 50 per cent, are female. None have declared that they consider themselves to have a disability. However, the hon. Member will be aware that any such declaration on the part of staff is entirely voluntary.

Sovereign Strategy

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what dates over the last 12 months he met a representative of Sovereign Strategy.

John Prescott: The information requested is not collected.
	All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the ministerial code.

HEALTH

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest abortion rate per 1,000 women was to those aged  (a) 19,  (b) 18,  (c) 17,  (d) 16,  (e) 15,  (f) 14 and  (g) under 14 years in the UK; and what forecast she has made for each of the next 20 years.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is contained within the 2004 abortion statistics for England and Wales which can be found in the Department's statistical bulletin on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/ll/75/74/04117574.pdf
	No future forecast on abortion rates has been made but rates have been mainly stable over the past five years.

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) letters and  (b) postcards she has received from (i) members of the public, (ii) hon. Members and (iii) Members of the House of Lords about abortion; how many and what percentage (A) supported and (B) opposed abortion; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department's Ministers have received 499 letters or postcards from members of the public, 60 letters from hon. Members, and no letters from Members of the House of Lords since 1 June 2005.
	The Department has also received a 1,226-postcard campaign from members of the public opposing abortion.
	As we do not collect information on whether specific letters about abortion support or oppose this or specify between letters and postcards, unless they concern a specific, high-volume campaign, this information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) feticide interventions,  (b) urea injections and  (c) lethal injections into the fetal heart have been performed during abortions in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: The information available is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of feticide interventions for abortions in 2003 and 2004, England and Wales residents 
			  Feticide method used  2003  2004 
			 Total feticide interventions 2,043 1,833 
			 Urea injections 217 227 
			 Lethal injections into the heart 395 369 
			 Other (including cordotomy) 1,431 1,237 
			  Note: This information was not collected prior to 2003.

Avian Influenza

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone) of 27 March 2006,  Official Report, column 779W, on avian influenza, where the influenza vaccine under the contract awarded to Baxter and Chiron will be manufactured.

Caroline Flint: Chiron manufactures the H5N1 vaccine in Italy. Baxter ferments the H5N1 vaccine in the Czech Republic and final packaging takes place in Austria.

Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when each organisation within Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority was informed that it would have to contribute towards cost improvements; what discussions took place; and who decided the contribution each organisation would make;
	(2)  when each organisation within Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority is expected to have made its full contribution towards cost improvements in identifying cuts in pension to the full value of its contribution;
	(3)  what negotiations have taken place on the use of the primary care trust and NHS trust pool of savings in Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority; and what appeal mechanism exists against the amounts recommended.

Caroline Flint: The role of the Department is to ensure that strategic health authorities comply with the operating framework guidance published on 26 January 2006. It is for individual strategic health authorities to agree with their local health economy the details of the cost improvements required for that local health economy.

Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what directions she has given to  (a) the Gloucestershire, Avon and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority,  (b) the primary care trusts in Gloucestershire and  (c) the Hospital Trust in Gloucestershire on the requirement for those organisations to balance their annual budgets during the 2006-07 financial year; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department has issued the following guidance to the NHS:
	The NHS in England: the Operating Framework for 2006-07 was published 26 January 2006;
	Duncan Selbie's letter of 6 February 2006, Implementing the Operating Framework for 2006-07, and
	Ian Carruthers' letter of 10 May 2006, The Operating Framework for 2006-07.
	Departmental officials are working with transitional strategic health authority leads to finalise the 2006-07 financial plans.

Care Record Service

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the cost to local NHS bodies of implementing the care record service.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) on 17 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1114W.

Community Nursing

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact of Agenda for Change on  (a) community nurses and  (b) community nursing posts.

Rosie Winterton: From the available evidence, where job evaluation outcomes and headcount of staff are both considered community nursing posts have proportionately higher outcomes than nurses working in the acute sector. This is likely to be due to the added level of autonomy required. NHS employers are supporting organisations, via strategic health authorities, to assess properly the impact of Agenda for Change.

Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to reply to the letter of 26 April 2006 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire on avian influenza.

Rosie Winterton: A reply to this letter was sent on 8 June 2006.

Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to reply to the letter of 25 April 2006 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire regarding a constituent.

Rosie Winterton: This letter was replied to on 25 May 2006.

Cottage Hospitals

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cottage hospitals have closed in England since 2001.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is not centrally available.

Counterfeit Lipitor

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 March 2006,  Official Report, column 580W, on counterfeit Lipitor, what recent assessment she has made of whether  (a) the UK has a system of monitoring pharmaceutical products sufficient to provide confidence that no quantifiable percentage of counterfeit medicines is entering the UK distribution system and  (b) the system of pharmaceutical product recall reaches all those involved in the distribution and provision of medicines.

Andy Burnham: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), as the United Kingdom (UK) competent authority responsible for the regulation of medicines, has in place comprehensive systems of surveillance, including medicines testing, reporting of adverse reactions, inspections, product recall and intelligence gathering, based on an ongoing assessment of risk. The MHRA also operates a comprehensive anti-counterfeiting strategy, advising the Government and working with partners and stakeholders to ensure that current safeguards work effectively and that vigilance against counterfeit medicines entering the legitimate UK supply chain is maintained.
	The prime responsibility for product recall is with the marketing authorisation (MA) holder and not with the MHRA. The MHRA advises the MA holder as to the classification of recall, recipients who should be informed, wording of notifications, investigations and it reviews proposals for corrective actions. In many cases, the MHRA issues a drug alert to inform possible recipients and support action being taken by the MA holder.
	When drug alerts are issued by the MHRA, the extent of distribution is decided from a risk analysis of the known facts. If there is a significant concern about potential patient harm, the MHRA may advise contact to patient level. In cases of lower risk, the distribution may be limited to pharmacy or wholesaler level.

Dentistry

Ronnie Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in South East Northumberland have  (a) not signed up to new contracts,  (b) signed only partial contracts and  (c) closed their lists to new NHS patients.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of dentists or dental practices who have signed the new contract and the number who have not signed is not available centrally. We do however have some provisional information that covers contracts. A contract may be for more than one dentist and so cannot be broken down further to individual dentist level.
	The number of new dental contracts signed and rejected in the Northumberland Care Trust area is shown in the table.
	
		
			   Number/percentage 
			  Contracts signed  
			 Number 44 
			 Approximate units of dental activity (UDA) value 557,503 
			   
			  Contracts still in discussion  
			 Number 0 
			 Approximate UDA value 0 
			   
			  Contracts rejected  
			 Number 4 
			 Approximate UDA value 31,552 
			 Percentage UDAs 5.4 
			   
			  Contracts signed  
			 Number signed without dispute 37 
			 Number signed in dispute 7 
			 Percentage disputes 15.9 
			  Notes: 1. The information provided is not validated. 2. It represents a snapshot of the position in early April.  Source: Department of Health

Departmental Credit Card

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facility is available for senior civil servants in her Department to use credit cards supplied by the Department.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has adopted the Office of Government Commerce buying solutions pre-tendered national framework for the Government procurement card (GPC). Under this framework GPC credit cards are held by authorised cardholders throughout the Department and are available for use for properly approved purchases under 2,000 per transaction for all departmental staff.

Departmental Report

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the consultations undertaken by her Department covering the period of the Departmental Report 2006; what steps she is  (a) taking and  (b) plans to take to meet the 12-week minimum period; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Consultations launched between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2006 are shown in the table.
	The Department seeks through guidance to staff and through a gateway process covering communications with the national health service to ensure that consultations meet the 12-week minimum period. In the coming year, the Department plans to update its guidance on consultations and promote good practice through communications with staff.
	
		
			  Department of Health public consultationslaunched between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2006 
			  Title  Launch date  Closing date  Consultation period (weeks) 
			 Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians order 2006: A paper for consultation 27 March 2006 19 June 2006 12 
			 Science and innovation investment framework 2004-2014: next stepsA consultation 22 March 2006 16 June 2006 12 
			 Department of Health draft simplification plan 21 March 2006 20 June 2006 13 
			 Code of Practice for the Mental Capacity Act 2005: A consultation 9 March 2006 4 June 2006 12 
			 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE): Selection of topics: A consultation paper 6 March 2006 9 June 2006 13 
			 Informing healthier choices: Information and intelligence for healthy populationsA consultation 3 March 2006 5 May 2006 9 
			 European Commission Green PaperImproving the mental health of the population: towards a strategy on mental health for the European Union 1 February 2006 30 April 2006 12 
			 Proposed changes to residential care charges from April 2006 24 January 2006 7 March 2006 6 
			 United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDSUK Report on progress 10 January 2006 11 April 2006 13 
			 Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) (Amendment) Regulations 2006: A consultation 9 January 2006 10 April 2006 13 
			 Care homes: Provision of information about prices/fees 19 December 2005 10 February 2006 8 
			 Configuration of NHS Ambulance Trusts in England 14 December 2005 22 March 2006 14 
			 HIV related stigma and discrimination: Action plan 1 December 2005 31 March 2006 17 
			 Consultation on obesity care pathway and resources for primary care 1 December 2005 22 December 2005 3 
			 Proposals for amending Firecode: A consultation 28 November 2005 10 February 2006 12 
			 Competence and curriculum framework for the medical care practitioner: a consultation 4 November 2005 10 February 2006 14 
			 Safe management of healthcare waste: a public consultation 1 November 2005 7 February 2006 14 
			 Medical Act 1983 (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Amendments Order 2006: A paper for consultation 31 October 2005 31 January 2006 13 
			 Draft cancer research network measures for the Manual for Cancer Services 2004: consultation 28 October 2005 27 January 2006 13 
			 Arrangements for the Provision of Dressings, Incontinence Appliances, Stoma Appliances, Chemical Reagents and Other Appliances to Primary and Secondary Care 24 October 2005 23 January 2006 13 
			 Proposed changes to the regulatory framework for adult social care services 14 October 2005 14 January 2006 13 
			 UK consultation on European Commission proposal for a programme of community action in the field of health and consumer protection 2007-13 10 October 2005 6 January 2006 12 
			 Consultation on the future governance arrangements for the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) 10 October 2005 31 December 2005 12 
			 Draft Revised Colorectal Measures for the Manual for Cancer Services 2004 30 September 2005 30 December 2005 13 
			 Your health, your care, your say 14 September 2005 4 November 2005 8 
			 Reimbursement of 'standard' branded generic medicines: A further consultation launch date 12 September 2005 close date 24 October 2005 12 September 2005 24 October 2005 6 
			 Proposals to simplify the reimbursement arrangements for NHS dispensing contractors: A consultation 7 September 2005 30 November 2005 12 
			 Review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act: A public consultation 16 August 2005 25 November 2005 15 
			 The acutely or critically sick or injured child in the District General Hospital: A team response 15 August 2005 31 December 2005 19 
			 Code of Conduct for Payment by Results: Draft for consultation 4 August 2005 4 November 2005 12 
			 Draft advice on Permanent Seed Implant Brachytherapy Services for localised prostate cancer in England: A consultation 4 August 2005 28 October 2005 12 
			 Best research for best health: A new National Health Research Strategythe NHS contribution to health research in England: A consultation 29 July 2005 21 October 2005 12 
			 Chief Nursing Officer's review of mental health nursing: A consultation 28 July 2005 21 October 2005 12 
			 Proposals to reform and modernise pharmaceutical services legislation in England closed 20 September 2005 (launch 26 July) 26 July 2005 20 September 2005 9 
			 Action on health care associated infection (HCAI) in England 15 July 2005 23 September 2005 10 
			 Human Tissue Act 2004: Draft Regulations for consultation 12 July 2005 4 October 2005 12 
			 Consultation on the draft National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulation 2006 7 July 2005 30 September 2005 12 
			 Consultation on the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service 5 July 2005 30 September 2005 12 
			 Draft cancer registry measures for the Manual for Cancer Services 2004: consultation 4 July 2005 7 October 2005 13 
			 Draft Head and Neck Measures for the Manual for Cancer Services 2004: consultation 4 July 2005 7 October 2005 13 
			 Safer management of controlled drugs: Draft guidance on strengthened governance arrangements 4 July 2005 30 September 2005 12 
			 Records Management: NHS Code of Practice consultation closed 30 June 2005 30 September 2005 13 
			 Consultation on the smokefree elements of the Health Improvement and Protection Bill 20 June 2005 5 September 2005 12 
			 NHS Emergency Planning Guidance 2005 9 June 2005 8 September 2005 12 
		
	
	Total consultations: 44
	Number of consultations 12 weeks or over: 36
	Percentage of consultations 12 weeks or over: 82
	 Note:
	The information for Cm 6814, The Department of Health Annual Report and Accounts 2006, was prepared before the end of March 2006. Consequently, information on two consultations listed above was not available.

Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  why her Department has ended its contract for the Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin;
	(2)  what research was undertaken in advance of the cancellation of the distribution of the Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin to NHS doctors.

Andy Burnham: The decision not to renew the Department's national contract for distribution of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin was informed by our policy to devolve as much responsibility as possible to the national health service and to look very critically at central spending. It is our policy that central spending should be kept to an absolute minimum in order to maximise the resources available for the NHS to manage at local level. The decision also took account of the availability of other sources of medicines information.

E-coli 0157

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the location and suspected causes of reported outbreaks of E-coli 0157 in the UK over the last 12 months.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Escherichia coli 0157 reported outbreaksEngland and Wales 2005( 1) 
			  Health protection unit  Foodborne outbreaks  Non-foodborne outbreaks 
			 West YorkshireBradford  2 
			 Cambridgeshire  1 
			 Cumbria 1 1 
			 East Midlands South  1 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, North of Tyne 1  
			 Wales (Bridgend) 1  
			 Wales (Powys)  1 
			 National 1  
			 Total 4 6 
			 (1) Provisional data.  Source: Health Protection Agency 
		
	
	
		
			  Escherichia coli 0157 reported outbreaksScotland 2005( 1) 
			  NHS board  Foodborne outbreaks  Non-foodborne outbreaks  Unknown( 2) 
			 Argyll and Clyde   1 
			 Ayrshire and Arran 1  2 
			 Borders  1  
			 Dumfries and Galloway  2  
			 Grampian   2 
			 Greater Glasgow  1  
			 Highland  1  
			 Tayside  1  
			 National   1 
			 Total 1 6 6 
			 (1) Provisional data. (2) No summary report forms completed locally and returned to Health Protection Scotland.  Source: Health Protection Scotland 
		
	
	
		
			  Escherichia coli 0157 reported outbreaksNorthern Ireland 2005( 1) 
			  Location  Foodborne outbreaks  Non-foodborne outbreaks  Unknown 
			 Northern Health and Social Services Board  1 1 
			 Total 0 1 1 
			 (1) Provisional data.  Source: Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre Northern Ireland

Fairford Hospital

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to reply to Gloucestershire county council regarding the referral of Fairford Hospital in March.

Caroline Flint: The referral from Gloucestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust's decision to close inpatient facilities at Tetbury and Fairford community hospitals is currently under consideration, and a decision will be made once the information has been considered.

General Practitioners

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs there were per head of population in the Carlisle primary care trust area in each year since 1996.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available in the format requested. However, data for the Carlisle primary care trust (PCT) dating back to 2001 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)( 1)  per 100,000 head of population, for Carlisle and district PCT, 2001-05 
			   All practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)( 1)  All practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)( 1)  per 100,000 head of population 
			 2001 71 62.2 
			 2002 72 62.9 
			 2003 74 64.2 
			 2004 75 64.1 
			 2005 80 68.4 
			 .. denotes data not applicable. (1) General medical practitioners, excluding retainers and registrars, includes contracted general practitioners (GPs), general medical service (GMS) others and personal medical service (PMS) others. Prior to September 2004, this group included GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.  Notes: 1. 2004 population figures from the 2001 Office for National Statistics (ONS) resident estimates have been used for 2005 calculations, as population figures for 2005 at organisation level are not yet available, this figure is therefore subject to change. 2. GP figures given for September 2005, but as yet ONS have not published an up to date 2005 population figure by organisation. Therefore, the calculation for 2005 is based on the 2004 population figures and is therefore subject to change. 3. Data as at 1 October 1996 to 1999 and 30 September 2000 to 2005.  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care, general and personal medical services statistics 2001 ONS Population Census

Head Injuries

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to ensure that progress is made against the quality requirements of the National Service Framework for Long-Term Neurological Conditions published in March 2005; and what steps she is taking to ensure that  (a) local authorities and  (b) NHS Trusts are implementing the national service framework.

Ivan Lewis: Since publication of the national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions, the Department has co-ordinated a range of activity to help local authority social care organisations and national health service bodies take forward implementation of the NSF. This includes:
	working with key NHS, social care, voluntary and independent sector stakeholders, as well as service users and carers, to identify and address key issues in neurological services and the stakeholders' role in implementation;
	ensuring that other key delivery programmes, most especially the White Paper Our Health, Our Care, Our Say and the long-term conditions strategy help deliver key NSF objectives; and
	work with the Care Services Improvement Partnership to promote implementation of the NSF through a co-ordinated work programme, including regional workshops, a web-based getting started pack and self-assessment tool for services.
	Progress on implementation will be measured in a number of ways, including:
	research studies commissioned as part of a national research initiative to underpin implementation of the NSF, to provide baseline data needed to measure the subsequent impact of the NSF;
	work to develop a national minimum dataset for long-term neurological conditions; and
	implementation of clinical indicators developed as part of the Better Metrics programme.

Health Funding (Gloucestershire)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to reduce the gap in health funding between Gloucestershire and the national average; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The aim of the weighted-capitation formula, which informs revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs), is to provide equal access for equal need in all parts of the country, and to reduce health inequalities.
	The components of the formula weight each PCT's crude population, according to their relative need (age, and additional need) for healthcare and the unavoidable geographical differences in the cost of providing healthcare (the market forces factor).
	The weighted-capitation formula is used to set targets, it does not determine allocations. Actual allocations reflect decisions on the speed at which PCTs are brought nearer to target through the distribution of extra funds (pace of change policy).
	To ensure equity in funding, the pace of change policy for the 2006-08 revenue allocations has moved more quickly towards their fair share of funds. In 2003-04, the most under-target PCT was 22 per cent. under target. By 2007-08, no PCT will be more than .5 per cent. below its fair share.
	The following table shows the 2006-07 and 2007-08 revenue allocations made to PCTs in Gloucestershire.
	
		
			   2006-07 allocation  2007-08 allocation  Two year increase  2007-08 closing DFT 
			  PCT  000  000  000  Percentage  Percentage 
			 Cheltenham and Tewkesbury 181,446 198,605 32,341 19.5 -0.2 
			 Cotswold and Vale 222,132 240,253 34,858 17.0 3.3 
			 South Gloucestershire 250,189 275,190 45,949 20.0 -0.8 
			 West Gloucestershire 266,091 292,350 48,551 19.9 -1.3

Health Service Budgets

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which  (a) primary care trusts and  (b) hospital trusts showed financial deficits in 2005-06; how much those deficits were; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The 2004-05 audited financial position and the 2005-06 unaudited position, as submitted to the Department by national health service organisations (strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and NHS trusts) is available on the Department website, and can be accessed at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Freedom Oflnformation/ClassesOflnformation/fs/en

Hepatitis C

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for the establishment of a compensation scheme for those infected with hepatitis C by NHS blood or blood products.

Caroline Flint: The Skipton Fund was established in 2004, to administer the ex-gratia payment scheme for people infected with hepatitis C following national health service treatment with blood or blood products. The scheme became operational on 5 July 2004.

Hospital Parking

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many hospitals in  (a) England,  (b) each English region and  (c) the Tees Valley do NHS staff need to pay for parking.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not collected centrally on the number of hospitals that require staff to pay for on-site parking.

Imported Blood Products

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether individuals with haemophilia were given factor VIII imported blood products; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  whether individuals with haemophilia were given imported blood products under the named patient system without  (a) consultation and  (b) the signed agreement of the patient; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: During the 1970s and 1980s, clinicians were able to obtain blood products domestically, from Blood Products Laboratory (BPL) or purchase imported products from other international pharmaceuticals companies.
	We are aware that during the 1980s pharmaceuticals companies were developing clotting factors, using new techniques in an attempt to reduce the risk of transmitting non-A and non-B hepatitis. We understand that the preference of some haemophilia centre directors was that these products should be administered through controlled clinical trials rather than on a named patient basis. However, this did not preclude individual clinicians, in consultation with a patient, from prescribing on a named patient basis, if considered in the patient's best interest.

Medical Errors

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many patients underwent the wrong procedures due to medical errors in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many patients died due to medical errors in hospitals in each of the last 10 years.

Andy Burnham: The Department does not centrally collect data on the number of patients who underwent the wrong procedures or died due to medical errors in hospitals.
	The Government are, however, concerned about national health service patients affected by adverse events and that is why it established the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) in July 2001 and asked it to set up a national reporting and learning system (NRLS) for patient safety incidents. This system is now in place across the NHS and all trusts have been connected and reporting to the system from late 2005. Data collected by the NPSA are based on incidents reported by NHS staff.
	From November 2003 to the end of May 2006 there were 2,575 incidents reported as wrong or inappropriate treatment or procedure in the surgical and anaesthetic specialties. In 1,918 cases (74.5 per cent.), there was no reported harm to the patient, in 437 cases (17 per cent.) low harm, 179 cases (7 per cent.) moderate harm, 35 cases (1.4 per cent.) severe harm and in six cases (0.2 per cent.) it was reported that the patient died.
	Data on deaths due to medical errors in acute hospitals over the last 10 years is not available. In July 2005, the NPSA published Building a memory: preventing harm, reducing risks and improving patient safety. The first report of the National Reporting and Learning System and the Patient Safety Observatory. At the time of publication, the NPSA estimated that the annual figures for NHS acute hospitals in England would be in the order of 840 patient safety incident-related deaths from 572,000 reported incidents from acute hospitals each year in England. The estimate was derived from 18 acute hospitals consistently reporting to the NPSA from October to December 2004 and was adjusted for variations in reporting, as well as deaths which had been incorrectly labelled as patient safety incidents. The estimates cover all patient safety incident- related deaths including those due to medical errors in acute hospitals.
	The NPSA is due to publish a second report with its latest analysis of all patient safety incidents shortly.

Mental Health

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures her Department is taking to improve morale of permanent members of staff in small psychiatric centres in Leeds and West Yorkshire; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: National health service employing organisations are responsible for the morale of their staff. NHS organisations providing mental health services across West Yorkshire have taken a range of measures to support staff. These include ensuring that staff have access to good child care facilities and support, occupational health and counselling services, flexible working and training and development opportunities.

Mental Health

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures her Department has in place to monitor the effectiveness of care in the community for mentally ill patients in  (a) Leeds and  (b) West Yorkshire.

Ivan Lewis: The Department continues to monitor primary care trusts' progress on the delivery of their agreed local delivery plans which also forms part of the annual performance assessment by the Healthcare Commission.

Mental Health

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) full-time members of staff and  (b) temporary members of staff are employed in small psychiatric care centres in (i) Leeds and (ii) West Yorkshire.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not held centrally.

Multiple Sclerosis

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many multiple sclerosis patients have been  (a) prescribed and  (b) refused the drug Sativex by the national health service.

Andy Burnham: The drug Sativex is currently unlicensed for use in the United Kingdom. However, doctors are able to use their clinical judgement to prescribe this drug on a named patient basis for the treatment of any medical condition they feel appropriate. Prescription data would therefore not provide information on how many patients were receiving Sativex for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
	The Department does not collect information on those incidences where a doctor makes a clinical judgement not to prescribe a specific drug to an individual patient.

NHS Direct

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the implications of the announcement by NHS Direct of job cuts in London; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: NHS Direct began a 12-week consultation period with staff and staff side representatives on 16 May 2006 on proposals to ensure that its organisational structure, estates and staffing are fit for purpose to meet future developments and demand. The consultation period is due to end on 16 August 2006. The outcomes of the consultation will be made public thereafter.

NHS Direct

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the consultation on the reorganisation of NHS Direct, on what evidence the statement  (a) that NHS Direct moving toward larger sites will improve clinical safety and  (b) that best practice in the wider call centre industry is better than in NHS Direct is based;
	(2)  what assessment was made of the impact on the employment of disabled nurses of the proposed changes to NHS Direct.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not centrally held. It may be available from the Chairman of NHS Direct Special Health Authority.

NHS Direct

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the basis is for the forecast that NHS Direct will need fewer nurses.

Rosie Winterton: NHS Direct reviewed forecast demand for their services and the impact of introducing call streaming. These two factors combined mean that they will need fewer nurses.

NHS Direct

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether health advisers may do the work of nurses in NHS Direct.

Rosie Winterton: No. Health advisers are trained to use standardised protocols to assess the need for referral for face-to-face care or advice from an NHS Direct nurse.

NHS Finance

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on NHS funding in Wirral.

Rosie Winterton: The Department allocates funding to primary care trusts (PCTs) on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. The 2006-07 and 2007-08 revenue allocations represent 135 billion investment in the national health service, 64 billion to PCTs in 2006-07 and 70 billion in 2007-08. Over the two years covered by this allocation, PCTs will receive an average increase of 19.5 per cent. The table shows allocations for Bebington and West Wirral PCT and Birkenhead and Wallasey PCT.
	
		
			   2006-07 allocation  2007-08 allocation  Two year increase 
			  PCT  (000)  (000)  000  Percentage 
			 Bebington and West Wirral PCT 138,522 149,618 21,738 17 
			 Birkenhead and Wallasey PCT 321,016 350,999 57,453 20 
		
	
	The Department does not allocate funding to NHS trusts. NHS trusts, as providers of services, receive the bulk of their revenue funding from commissioning by PCTs. They also receive revenue funding from the Department for medical staff education services and for research and development. In addition, trusts can charge staff, visitors or patients for services provided, such as catering or provision of private patient facilities.

NHS Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Statement of 12 April, whether she expects that  (a) turnaround organisations and  (b) all primary care trusts and NHS trusts which are overspending (i) will show improvement during 2006-07 and (ii) by the end of the year should have monthly income covering monthly expenditure.

Andy Burnham: The aim is for the national health service as a whole to return to net financial balance by the end of 2006-07.
	We are aiming for all NHS organisations with deficits to have monthly balance of income over expenditure by April 2007. There will be some exceptional cases where an organisation needs longer to make the necessary changes, while still maintaining patient care. However, because over-spending by one organisation has to be balanced by under-spending elsewhere, we will continue to challenge and expect organisations to return to monthly balance as quickly as possible.

NHS Pension Scheme

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the NHS Pension Scheme is funded; and what the contribution level of the scheme is.

Rosie Winterton: The NHS Pension Scheme is an unfunded scheme. Employers pay 14 per cent. of the pensionable pay into the scheme and employees pay 6 per cent., apart from manual staff who pay 5 per cent.

North-West Lancashire Strategic Health Authority

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what considerations she took into account when approving the appointment of the chair of the new North West Lancashire strategic health authority; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Responsibility for the appointment of chairs and non-executive members of national health service boards has been delegated to the NHS Appointments Commission. As a national body, it follows national procedures for all appointments to ensure consistency across the NHS, while also taking into account specific local circumstances.
	The selection of candidates for the strategic health authority posts was undertaken by a panel which included an independent assessor. Candidates were only appointed if they met all of the criteria for these posts and after successfully completing a process of selection and interview.

Notifiable Diseases

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what factors were taken into account when deciding not to include the  (a) HIV and  (b) H5N1 viruses on the list of notifiable diseases;
	(2)  which sexually transmitted diseases  (a) are and  (b) are not on the list of notifiable diseases; and what criteria are used when deciding which diseases to include.

Caroline Flint: Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, there is a requirement to notify local authorities of cases of certain infectious diseases so that they can consider whether to use the measures to control disease that the Act provides. Section 11 of the Act sets out the procedure for notifying the relevant local authority of cases of cholera, plague, relapsing fever, smallpox, typhus and food poisoning. Regulations made under the Act (the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988) apply section 11 to certain other infectious diseases(1).
	However, statutory notification of specified infectious diseases is only one of a range of methods by which epidemiological surveillance and control of infectious diseases are carried out. HIV, sexually transmitted infections and H5N1 are not notifiable diseases(2).
	For HIV, local and national data are collected from several sources including reporting of diagnosed cases by clinicians and laboratories and by unlinked anonymous surveys of HIV prevalence in population sub-groups, such as genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic attendees and injecting drug users in contact with specialist services. Similarly, for other sexually transmitted infections, there are other surveillance methods used including returns from GUM clinics of episodes of sexually transmitted infections and the national chlamydia screening programme.
	Making HIV and other sexually transmitted infections notifiable might raise concerns about patient confidentiality and could deter individuals at risk of infection from seeking advice, testing and specialist care.
	H5N1 infection does not readily pass from birds to humans and there is currently no evidence that this pathogen is capable of spreading from person-to-person efficiently or of sustaining such transmission. This infection can only be diagnosed by laboratory confirmation of the pathogen as the clinical illness has similarities with several other infections. H5N1 infection in birds or poultry, which comes within the definition of avian influenza, is notifiable as a disease of animals and as an animal disease that may transmit to humans. This allows measures to be put in place to reduce the risk of spread to other birds or poultry and to humans.
	(1) Acute encephalitis, acute poliomyelitis, anthrax, diphtheria, dysentery (amoebic or bacillary), leprosy, leptospirosis, malaria, measles, meningitis, meningococcal septicaemia (without meningitis), mumps, ophthalmia neonatorum, paratyphoid fever, rabies, rubella, scarlet fever, tetanus, tuberculosis (where the opinion of the registered medical practitioner that the person is suffering from tuberculosis is formed from evidence not solely derived from tuberculin tests) typhoid fever, viral haemorrhagic fever, viral hepatitis, whooping cough, and yellow fever.
	(2 )Viral hepatitis is statutorily notifiable and can be transmitted sexually. However, apart from hepatitis B virus, sexual transmission is not the most important mode of infection.

Obesity (North Somerset)

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the percentage of schoolchildren in North Somerset who are obese.

Caroline Flint: Following the Department's guidance on weighing and measuring all primary school children issued in January 2006, primary care trusts will be required to return data on obesity prevalence among reception year and year six pupils to the Department's performance management system by end of September 2006.

Parliamentary Questions

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will answer questions  (a) 51633,  (b) 51635,  (c) 52749,  (d) 52765,  (e) 52767,  (f) 53030,  (g) 53840,  (h) 55583,  (i) 55601,  (j) 55743 and  (k) 56246 tabled by the hon. Member for Forest of Dean.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 14 March 2006
	Replies to all the questions listed have been given.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to questions  (a) 65773 on the choose and book system,  (b) 65781 on waiting times and  (c) 70972 on the care record spine tabled by the hon. Member for St. Ives (Andrew George)

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 22 May 2006
	Answers were given on 24 and 25 May.

Sexual Health

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what evidential basis her Department used for the estimate of the number of young people who are sexually active before they reach 16 years in Best Practice Guidance for Doctors and Other Health Professionals on the Provision of Advice and Treatment to Young People Under 16 on Contraception, Sexual and Reproductive Health; whom she consulted while drafting this guidance; if she will list the  (a) individuals and  (b) organisations who submitted advice; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will list the  (a) individuals and  (b) organisations she consulted while preparing Best Practice Guidance for Doctors and Other Health Professionals on the Provision of Advice and Treatment to Young People Under 16 on Contraception, Sexual and Reproductive Health; if she will place in the Library copies of any responses; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Evidence for estimating the number of young people who are sexually active before they reach 16 years old is contained in the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal 2000); Sexual behaviour in Britain: early heterosexual experience. Lancet. 2001Dec 1;358(9296): 1843-50. Further evidence is contained in the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) Report on Teenage Pregnancy which is available in the Library.
	The Department worked with the relevant professional bodies including the British Medical Association, Royal College of Nursing, and Faculty of Family Planning in producing the final draft.
	The revised best practice guidance, which replaced and cancelled HC (86)1/HC (FP) (86)1/LAC (86)3 was issued on 30 July 2004. This guidance was recently subject to a judicial review and was upheld to be lawful.

Sexual Health

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government have taken to improve sexual health by providing strongly focused prevention messages as identified in the Government's response to the Health Select Committee Report on New Developments in Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Policy (Cm 6649).

Caroline Flint: To inform the new safer sex campaign the Department has undertaken market research on what messages are most effective in promoting safer sex to sexually active young adults in addition to consultations with sexual health professionals, potential commercial partners and voluntary sector organisations who will have a role to play in the campaign's successful delivery. Other action to improve sexual health includes investment to improve and modernise sexual health services and the prioritisation of sexual health and access to genito-urinary services as one of the six key actions for national health service for 2006-07.

SHAs (Senior Staff)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) chairs and  (b) chief executives of strategic health authorities (i) are from an ethnic minority background and (ii) have prior experience of work in the health sector.

Rosie Winterton: None of the nine chairs and 10 chief executives appointed to the strategic health authorities is from an ethnic minority background. Of the nine chairs, six have prior experience of work in the health sector. All 10 of the chief executives have previously worked in the health sector. Two of the chief executive appointments are interim, pending a further round of recruitment.

TB Immunisation

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what opportunities there are for children to obtain necessary immunisation against tuberculosis; and whether a charge is made.

Caroline Flint: The changes to the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) programme announced by the Chief Medical Officer in July 2006 have involved replacing the universal BCG immunisation with a programme targeted on higher risk groups within the general population.
	BCG immunisation is available free of charge to the following groups:
	all infants aged 0 to 12 months living in areas of the United Kingdom where the annual incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is 40/100,000 or greater;
	all infants aged 0 to 12 months with a parent or grandparent who was born in a country where the annual incidence of TB is 40/100,000 or greater;
	previously unvaccinated children aged one to five years with a parent or grandparent who was born in a country where the annual incidence of TB is 40/100,000 or greater. These children should be identified at suitable opportunities, and can normally be vaccinated without tuberculin testing;
	previously unvaccinated, tuberculin-negative children aged from six to under 16 years of age with a parent or grandparent who was born in a country where the annual incidence of TB is 40/100,000 or greater. These children should be identified at suitable opportunities, tuberculin tested and vaccinated if negative;
	previously unvaccinated tuberculin-negative contacts of cases of respiratory TB (following recommended contact management advice); and
	previously unvaccinated, tuberculin-negative new entrants under 16 years of age who were born in or who have lived for a prolonged period (at least three months) in a country with an annual TB incidence of 40/100,000 or greater.

Therapeutic Services

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what publicly funded therapeutic services are available for victims of sexual abuse; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There are a very substantial number of voluntary sector organisations providing therapeutic services for victims of sexual violence and abuse in receipt of recent, current and newly allocated public funding. Some of these have been or are in receipt of Section 64 funding from the Department. These number 10 and are shown in the table which includes the name of the organisation, the purpose of the grant, the year and the amount of the funding provided.
	A larger number of voluntary sector organisations have been in receipt of funding from the Home Office's victims fund grant. The total Home Office provision for victims of sexual offending was 46 organisations in 2004-05, 62 organisations in 2005-06, and 45 organisations in 2006-07. Tables providing the name of the organisation, the year and the amount of funding have been placed in the Library.
	The Department and Home Office work closely together on improving services for victims of sexual crime and the Department contributes to the decisions taken by the Home Office on the allocation of the victims fund grant.
	
		
			  Current/recent awards from Department of Health Section 64 general scheme of grants for mental health voluntary and community sector organisations providing therapeutic services for victims of abuse 
			  Funding () 
			  Name of organisation/Name of grant  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			  Asian Family Counselling Service
			 Aastha project31,000 53,000 43,000  
			 Core funding  30,000 28,000 26,000
			  Bristol Crisis Service for Women
			 Self-injury information service project 27,750 35,000 35,000 9,250
			 Evaluation of self-injury information service project35,000
			 
			  Eating Disorders Association
			 Network capacity -building project   38,000 35,000 35,000   
			 New core grant27,000 25,000 23,000  
			 Pathways to recovery project 38,062 44,982 48,242 
			 
			  Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture
			 Training co-ordinator project   30,000 30,000 30,000   
			 
			  National Association for People Abused in Childhood
			 NAPAC 50,000 50,000 50,000 
			 InfoLine
			 
			  Southall Black Sisters
			 Black and minority ethnic women and girls, domestic violence and mental health project50,000 50,000   
			 
			  The Ivors Trust
			 Core grant28,000
			 
			  Survivors UK
			 Core   28,000 
			 
			  Survivors UK
			 Male survivors mental health project 15,225 40,000 40,000 31,775
			 
			  WISH (Women in Special Hospitals)
			 New core   46,000 40,000 30,000   
			 Women moving on project30,000 33,000   
			 
			  WITNESS (formerly POPAN)
			 Practice advice and support line project 15,954 60,000 60,000 48,046
			 Advocacy and support project  45,000 43,000 41,000
			 Core   60,000 55,000 50,000

TREASURY

Coastal Monitoring

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many HM Revenue and Customs staff were allocated to the monitoring of the coasts of  (a) Wales,  (b) Scotland and  (c) the South West in each year since 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: At present HM Revenue and Customs has some 1,200 Intelligence and 4,500 frontline Detection staff whose role includes monitoring movements across all UK frontiers.
	Previous years' figures are shown in the table.
	
		
			   Detection  Intelligence 
			 2002-2003 3,790 1,323 
			 2003-2004 3,754 1,312 
			 2004-2005 3,910 1,295 
			 2005-2006 4,256 1,226 
		
	
	HM Revenue and Customs does not specifically allocate staff to any particular coastline.

Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter of 24 April 2006 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire regarding a constituent (PO Ref: 1/43132/2006).

Edward Balls: I replied to the hon. Member on 23 May 2006 and again on 7 June 2006.

Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter of 29 March 2006 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire regarding a constituent (PO Ref: 1/42692/2006).

Dawn Primarolo: I expect to be in a position to write to the hon. Gentleman in about a fortnight's time in the light of the forthcoming debate in the Finance Bill standing committee on inheritance tax provisions to which your letter refers.

Drug Seizures

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many drug seizures from pleasure craft were carried out by HM Revenue and Customs in each  (a) region and  (b) county in each year since 2000.

Dawn Primarolo: The national information for drugs seizures made by HM Revenue and Customs since 2000 is contained in the Annual Reports for HM Customs and Excise and HM Revenue and Customs. The figures for the year ending 31 March 2006 will be published in the next Annual Report.
	Information of drug seizures by location cannot be disclosed as this would provide information of value to those seeking to circumvent HM Revenue and Customs' controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of crime.
	HM Revenue and Customs does not centrally record drug seizures from pleasure craft.

EU Funding

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of European Union funding allocated to Cornwall in each of the last five years.

Margaret Hodge: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table shows the Structural Funds allocations to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for the current 2000-06 funding period.
	The United Kingdom will receive a total of approximately 9.4 billion euros (in 2004 prices) in Structural Funds receipts from 2007-13, in comparison with 16.6 billion euros (in 1999 prices) in the current Financial Perspective. This will include a total of approximately 2.6 billion euros in Convergence funding for its poorest regions, including Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We estimate that Cornwall's allocation for 2007-13 will be approximately a third higher than its current receipts.
	Further background and details of the United Kingdom's future Structural Funds receipts were provided in my right hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff South and Penarth's written statement of 20 December 2005.
	
		
			  Annual Structural Funds allocations to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly 
			   2004 prices 
			million   million( 1) 
			 2000 80.2 55.3 
			 2001 78.8 54.4 
			 2002 77.3 53.3 
			 2003 75.8 52.3 
			 2004 75.9 52.3 
			 2005 81.3 56.1 
			 2006 80.6 55.6 
			 2000-06 550.0 379.3 
			 (1 )Using the exchange rate 1= 1.45 euro.

HM Revenue and Customs Staff

John Pugh: To ask The Chancellor of the Exchequer how the number of people employed as HM Revenue and Customs officers has changed in the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs became a legal entity on 18 April 2005. Before then its business had been conducted by the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise.
	The numbers of staff employed in Civil Service departments and agencies, including the Inland Revenue, HM Customs and Excise and HM Revenue and Customs are available on the Cabinet Office's Civil Service Statistics website at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/index.asp
	The effects of changes in departmental responsibilities on staff numbers are also available on the website.

Lease Lend and War Loans

Anne Moffat: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been paid to the US Administration by the UK Government in respect of interest and capital reduction on lease lend and war loans incurred as a result of the second world war in each of the last five years; what total sum has been paid to date; and what capital balance is outstanding.

Edward Balls: The following table shows capital and interest payments for world war two loans for the last five years.
	
		
			  December  $ million 
			 2001 152 
			 2002 150 
			 2003 148 
			 2004 145 
			 2005 142 
		
	
	Final repayment of $83 million in interest is due to be made in December 2006, subject to the UK choosing not to exercise its option to defer payment. Information on the total interest and capital payments to date for world war two loans is not currently in a readily available format. However, work is currently in progress to tidy the data and the United Kingdom Government intend to release detailed figures on completion of the loan.

Listed Buildings (VAT)

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons are for the differing VAT treatment of repairs to listed buildings and alterations to listed buildings made with listed building consent.

Dawn Primarolo: When VAT was introduced in 1973, zero-rating applied to the construction and alteration of all buildings. The repair and maintenance of buildings has, however, always been standard-rated. Due to difficulties in administering the borderline between 'repairs' and 'alterations', the zero rate for alterations was largely withdrawn in 1984 by the then Government, although the zero rate for work carried out in the course of an approved alteration to a listed building was retained.
	Under agreements with our European partners we can keep our existing zero rates of VAT but we are not able to extend them or introduce any new ones. The VAT treatment of repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings could therefore only be levelled if the Government were to withdraw the existing zero rate for approved alterations. The Government have no plans to do so.

Online Goods Declaration

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1723W, on the online goods declaration, whether paragraph 6.15 of the Carter Report has been considered in relation to the HM Revenue and Customs free declaration service.

Dawn Primarolo: Lord Carter was asked to advise Ministers on measures to further increase the use of HMRC's self-assessment, VAT, corporation tax and PAYE online services. Lord Carter's report was published on Budget day alongside the Government response. These can be found at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2006/carter-review.htm
	HMRC is now consulting with businesses, taxpayers, agents and software developers on the implementation of Lord Carter's recommendations.
	Online goods declarations were not within the remit of Lord Carter's review. However, HMRC are committed to reducing the customer's compliance burden, and to help us do that we provide a range of electronic communications channels so that the customer can make an informed choice. Typically, this might include email, web interface and XML. HMRC will keep under active review whether or not they need to provide their own free online software or whether the software industry is able to sufficiently provide for the market while keeping customer compliance costs to a minimum.

Pensioners (Income)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of pensioners with pension income in excess of 50,000 in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: There are an estimated 60,000 people with pension income in excess of 50,000 in 2006-07, of whom an estimated 40,000 are above state pension age.
	Pension income includes pensions and annuities paid under occupational and personal pensions schemes and state retirement pensions.
	The information is based upon the 2003-04 Survey of Personal Incomes projected forward to 2006-07 in line with March 2006 Budget assumptions.

Points of Entry (Revenue and Customs Cover)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many points of entry had permanent HM Revenue and Customs cover in each year since 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs aims to maintain a permanent cover of all points of entry into the UK through intelligence-led and risk-based interventions by flexible and mobile teams.
	More detailed information cannot be disclosed as this would provide information of value to those seeking to circumvent HM Revenue and Customs' controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of crime.

Public Expenditure (Wales)

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the identifiable public expenditure in Wales on enterprise and economic development by UK Government Departments was in each year since 1999-2000.

Stephen Timms: UK Government Departments' identifiable public expenditure on enterprise and economic development for Wales in 2000-01 to 2003-04 is published in additional tables of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses on the Country and Regional web pages http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/4CB/DD/PESA_2006_Chapter_7_Tables_Additionalxls
	Data for 2004-05 is shown in table 7.17 of PESA 2006 (Cm 6811) http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/4CB/C6/PESA_2006_Chapter_7_Tables.xls
	Data for 1999-2000 is not available on a comparable and consistent basis.

Sale of Financial Products

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake a public consultation on further regulation of the sale of general insurance.

Edward Balls: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) assumed responsibility for the regulation of general insurance on 14 January 2005. The FSA's regime served to implement the EU's Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD) in the UK.
	The FSA began a review of the effectiveness of the general insurance regime in April 2006. This review will include seeking feedback from firms and consumer research.
	Separately, the Treasury will review early in 2007 whether travel insurance sold as part of a package should be subject to FSA regulation. The IMD only requires the regulation of travel insurance if sold on a stand-alone basis.

Sale of Financial Products

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what regulations apply to the selling of complex financial products on a non-advised basis.

Edward Balls: Regulations applying to the sale of complex financial products are governed by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. They are implemented by conduct of business rules set by the Financial Services Authority on the principle that firms making sales on an advised or non-advised basis should treat their customers fairly and provide them with clear information. The rules are set out in the Financial Services Authority's Handbook.

Tax Credits

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what behavioural assumptions in relation to families being required to repay tax credits are used in his Department's  (a) costings,  (b) models and  (c) decisions; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Our assumptions are based on the expected year of recovery of overpayments for 2003-04 tax credit awards as provided in the Comptroller and Auditor General's Standard Report on the Accounts of the Inland Revenue 2004-05. The Department of Inland Revenue 2004-05 Accounts are available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/ir-report2005.pdf.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the cost of administering the tax credits system in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The cost of managing and paying the child and working tax credits in the financial years 2005-06 and 2006-07 will not be available until the Trust Statement's for those years are released.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his latest estimate is of the amount of tax credit overpayments in  (a) 2003-04 and  (b) 2004-05 which will be recovered;
	(2)  how much of the tax credit overpayments in  (a) 2003-04 and  (b) 2004-05 has been recovered to date; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The expected year of recovery of overpayments and amounts for 2003-04 tax credit awards, including amount recovered in 2004-05, are provided in the Comptroller and Auditor General's Standard Report on the Accounts of the Inland Revenue 2004-05, which is available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/ir-report2005.pdf
	Figures for 2004-05 overpayments will not be available until the publication of the Comptroller and Auditor General's Standard Report on the Accounts of the H M Revenue and Customs 2005-06.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were in receipt of tax credits in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates for the number of recipients receiving working family tax credits and family credits between May 1998 and February 2003 appear in the quarterly published WFTC statistics. Estimates for the number of recipients receiving child and working tax credits for 2003-04 and 2004-05 awards, based on final family circumstances and incomes for 2003-04 and 2004-05, appear in the HMRC statistical publications Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised Awards 2003-04 and Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised Awards 2004-05.
	These publications can be found on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether the Paymaster General remains the designated Treasury Minister responsible for oversight of the tax credits system; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what responsibilities the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has in relation to the tax credit system; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The responsibilities of Treasury Ministers are set out on the Treasury website. The Paymaster General is the Minister responsible for tax credits.

Tax Returns

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the  (a) staffing and  (b) costs of accountancy firms of the change in filing deadlines for tax returns.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are currently assessing the impacts on businesses of implementing the recommendations of Lord Carter of Coles' Review of HMRC online services, and HMRC has published a Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment which invites comments and evidence to inform the final assessment. The document can be viewed at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ria/pria-online-services.pdf

Tax Returns

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultation of accountancy firms was undertaken before the decision was made to change the deadline for filing tax returns from 31 January each year.

Dawn Primarolo: The proposed changes to the filing date were recommended by Lord Carter's review of HMRC online services. As part of that independent review Lord Carter and his review team consulted widely. Written submissions were also invited and over 70 were received, including several from firms of accountants. The review team included three members of the accountancy profession from different sized firms.

Unused Land and Buildings

Margaret Moran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list Government-owned land and buildings  (a) unused and  (b) about to become unused in the next five years, broken down by county.

Stephen Timms: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Widowed Parents Allowance

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria underlay the decision to class the widowed parents allowance as a second income; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Widowed parents allowance, which is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions, is taxable because, as a continuing benefit, it is intended to replace lost earnings. The allowance replaced widowed mothers allowance, in the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, which was also taxable.
	Earnings-replacement benefits are taxable. This ensures equality of tax treatment in the same year between someone whose income is all from earnings and someone with the same level of income but which is derived partly from earnings and partly from benefit.